Security Council High-Level Open Debate “Artificial Intelligence and International Peace and Security: Addressing the Complexities, Multifaceted Impacts, and Responsible Use
Statement delivered by H.E. Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
25 September 2025, New York
Mr President,
Excellencies,
Let me begin by commending the Republic of Korea for bringing this important issue to the agenda of the Security Council.
Few issues demonstrate as clearly as AI that we live in a world where opportunities and risks are tightly interlinked, including in the context of global security.
AI can help us prevent conflicts and protect civilians in crisis. But it can destabilize societies, undermine democracy, and threaten international peace and security. AI is not just another technology – it is becoming force multiplier across all domains of security. This is why the Security Council must recognise AI as integral to its core mandate.
It is of utmost importance that AI remains human-centric and is developed through a coordinated global approach. We need clear and inclusive frameworks that involve states, civil society, academia, and the private sector. This includes military uses, where the risks are especially high. Fully autonomous weapons raise serious questions of accountability and predictability.
Our position is clear: international humanitarian law applies fully to new technologies. When human lives are at stake, there must always be human control. Responsibility for the use of force must rest with states and individuals, never with machines.
Excellences,
Estonia speaks from own experience. Almost twenty years ago, we faced one of the first large-scale state-backed cyberattacks. It showed us how vulnerable societies can be when technology is misused. But we also learned that resilience, transparency, and trust can turn weakness into strength.
Today Estonia is undergoing its next big step – our AI Leap. We are providing the best technological tools available to our students and teachers equipping them with the skills to use AI wisely and responsibly. We see this as an investment in social resilience and as a safeguard against digital divide.
President,
The stakes are high. AI is one of the defining challenges of our time — but also one of the greatest opportunities. If we act together, we can ensure that AI strengthens peace, supports democracy, and upholds human dignity.
Thank you.