An Open Letter for the Future of AI—and the Future of Humanity

Artificial Intelligence is accelerating beyond our collective ability to govern it.

It is reshaping our economies, institutions, relationships — even our understanding of truth, purpose, and what it means to be human. The choices we make now will echo for generations.

As AI becomes more powerful, more autonomous, and more deeply embedded into the fabric of society, we face a civilizational turning point. Not just a technological one.

We are witnessing the rapid rise of unprecedented risks:

• The erosion of meaningful work and personal purpose
• The development of autonomous weapons outside any moral or legal framework
• The emergence of AI systems capable of deception, manipulation, and replication
• A global arms race for dominance, driven by profit and geopolitics
• The destabilization of shared truth, human connection, and identity
• Our growing dependence on systems we no longer fully understand or control

And all of this is unfolding without common consent, ethical reflection, or global oversight.

We are not simply innovating — we are redefining the future of civilization.

It is time to pause.

It is time to reflect.

It is time to act—together.

Without a shared moral compass, without human-centered governance, and without courageous international cooperation, we risk building systems that undermine democracy, fracture societies, and imperil the long-term survival of our species.

What We Urgently Call For

1. A Global Pause for Reflection and Dialogue

Before the continued deployment of ever more powerful AI systems, we call for a period of deliberate, inclusive, and cross-cultural reflection.

This pause must engage not only technologists and policymakers, but philosophers, spiritual leaders, artists, youth, and citizens across all regions and walks of life. We must collectively assess AI’s implications — not only for safety, but for justice, dignity, purpose, and planetary wellbeing.

2. The Creation of a Global Charter for the Ethical Use of AI

We call for the drafting of a Global Charter for the Ethical Use of AI to serve as a common moral foundation for development and deployment. This Charter must be rooted in:

• Universal human rights
• Cultural and spiritual diversity
• Scientific integrity
• The sacred dignity of life

This Charter should:

• Establish clear moral boundaries for the use of AI
• Promote transparency, accountability, and fairness
• Empower underrepresented communities and regions
• Protect human autonomy, agency, and mental resilience
• Align AI systems with the values of peace, justice, and sustainability

3. A New International Architecture for AI Governance

AI transcends borders. Yet our systems of global governance remain fragmented — and increasingly adversarial.

We urgently call for the formation of a new multilateral body: a Global AI System committed to aligning artificial intelligence with the common good.

This body must:

• Mediate between nations to prevent the militarization of AI
• Monitor powerful AI systems for compliance with ethical standards
• Bridge divides between cultures, regions, and faiths through shared moral commitments
• Operate as a democratic, transparent, and inclusive structure, accountable to present and future generations alike

Without such a framework, peace itself is at risk in the age of artificial intelligence.

This is Not a Call to Stop Progress — It Is a Call to Guide It

We believe AI can help humanity solve its greatest challenges:

Curing disease. Reducing inequality. Healing the planet.

But this promise can only be fulfilled if we consciously shape the direction of AI development — not react after irreparable harm is done.

There is still time to choose a different path:

A path that places human dignity above technical power.

A path that unites science with ethics, policy with conscience.

A path that champions peace, cooperation, and the flourishing of life.

A Call Across Faiths, Cultures, and Nations

We call on world leaders, scientists, developers, businesses, educators, civil society, and international institutions:

Join us — not just to build more powerful technologies, but to build a more just and compassionate world.

Let us act in humility. Let us act in wisdom. Let us act in hope.

Let us ensure that AI reflects the best of humanity — not the worst.

Let us act now, before it is too late.

We invite you to stand with us:

• In defense of life
• In pursuit of justice
• In hope for our shared future

Signed,
Bawa Jain, The Centre for Responsible Leadership (and co-signatories across the globe)