UN General Assembly adopts Tajikistan-proposed International AI Safety Day

September 1, 2026 at 09:20 AM2 min

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The UN General Assembly on August 31 adopted a Tajikistan-initiated resolution establishing an International Day of Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence. The day will be observed annually on August 31 starting in 2027. The vote was 144 in favor, with Israel and the United States against and Argentina, Canada and Samoa abstaining.

Key Facts

The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution on August 31, 2026, with 144 votes in favor, 2 against (Israel and the United States), and 3 abstentions (Argentina, Canada, and Samoa).
The International Day of Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence will be observed annually on August 31 starting in 2027.
The date August 31 was chosen because on that day in 1955 the Dartmouth Summer Research Project on Artificial Intelligence was proposed, marking the birth of AI as a field.
Tajikistan previously initiated a UN General Assembly resolution adopted on July 25, 2025, titled 'The role of artificial intelligence in creating new opportunities for sustainable development in Central Asia'.

Resolution Adoption

The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution on August 31, 2026, following its introduction by the delegation of Tajikistan. The vote was 144 in favor, with Israel and the United States voting against, and Argentina, Canada, and Samoa abstaining. The resolution establishes an International Day of Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence to be observed annually on August 31 starting in 2027.

Date Significance

The choice of August 31 is tied to the history of artificial intelligence as a scientific discipline. On August 31, 1955, the Dartmouth Summer Research Project on Artificial Intelligence was proposed, an initiative considered foundational for AI as an independent field of study and associated with the coining of the term 'artificial intelligence'. The new international day is intended to raise awareness of AI development, promote knowledge exchange between countries, and advance safe and responsible use of new technologies.

Tajikistan's Role

For Tajikistan, the resolution's adoption is a notable result of its participation in the international discussion on the future of artificial intelligence. Dushanbe views the initiative as the country's contribution to shaping the international AI agenda, consistent with its policy of developing digital technologies and introducing modern technological solutions. The resolution underscores the need for international cooperation in artificial intelligence and the creation of conditions for its safe, secure, and trustworthy use. Tajikistan previously initiated the UN General Assembly resolution 'The role of artificial intelligence in creating new opportunities for sustainable development in Central Asia', adopted on July 25, 2025.