Sam Altman wants the US to build the United Nations of artificial intelligence. The OpenAI CEO published a proposal in the Financial Times calling for an American-led international forum that would establish global standards for AI safety testing and governance, a body he has previously compared to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
What Altman is actually proposing
Altman’s vision centers on leveraging US technological leadership to coordinate standards among democratic nations. The proposal also envisions engaging rival nations, including China, in the process.
The idea isn’t entirely new for Altman. He has advocated for international AI coordination since at least 2023, when he testified before Congress. During remarks in February 2026, he explicitly drew the comparison between his proposed body and the IAEA, the post-World War II organization created to promote peaceful use of nuclear energy while preventing weapons proliferation.
The G7 backdrop
