King Charles opens AI summit with plea to control technology 'before it's too late'

King Charles III convened an AI summit on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Dumfries House in East Ayrshire, Scotland, bringing together approximately 30 senior figures from the artificial intelligence industry, government, and other sectors. During his opening remarks, the King urged global leaders and tech executives to establish control over AI technology to mitigate potential irreversible risks before it is too late. He highlighted both the "intriguing and deeply concerning" pace of AI development.

The summit was attended by representatives from major AI companies including Nvidia, Google DeepMind, OpenAI, and Anthropic, as well as Britain's AI Minister. King Charles emphasized the "existential dangers" of AI if it were to fall into the wrong hands and be used in catastrophic ways.

While the King's role was primarily to convene discussions and encourage debate, he posed critical questions to the attendees: how to harness the benefits of AI with safety at its core, and how to foster international cooperation to ensure no nation is left behind and humanity remains safeguarded. He underscored that the ultimate task is to ensure AI serves humanity, communities, and the natural world, keeping human dignity sacred.