UK foreign secretary warns AI poses Hiroshima‑style threat without global rules

Britain’s foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, warned in an exclusive interview with the Guardian that artificial intelligence presents a “Hiroshima‑style” risk to humanity unless governments agree on binding international rules for its development. She said the threat of AI is compounded by other global challenges, including the climate crisis, irregular migration and foreign interference, and that the convergence of these risks demands urgent coordinated action.

Cooper called on major powers – notably the United States and China – to negotiate a framework that would regulate the design, deployment and use of AI systems. She argued that without such a regime, the technology could destabilise security, economies and public trust, and that its unchecked proliferation could trigger cascading effects across the other highlighted crises. The foreign secretary added that the political and diplomatic fallout from AI misuse could be as severe as a catastrophic event.

She concluded that AI will become the dominant theme in foreign policy over the next two years, shaping diplomatic priorities and international cooperation. Cooper’s remarks underscore the need for a swift, multilateral response to ensure that AI’s benefits do not come at the cost of global stability.