BETHLEHEM, Pa. — U.S. Sen. David McCormick on Thursday questioned the seriousness of the United Nations’ role in addressing global risks from artificial intelligence during a public conversation at Lehigh University.
McCormick, a Pennsylvania Republican elected in 2024, spoke alongside Lehigh President Joseph Helble as part of the school’s Compelling Perspectives series, touching on AI, energy policy, education, national security, and U.S. leadership in technology.
McCormick addressed discussions at the U.N. regarding potential existential risks from AI.
“I just don’t think the U.N. is a serious body,” he said. “I don’t mean disrespectfully. I just don’t think the U.N. is likely to be a place where those questions are going to be seriously considered. So I think there’s a real burden on the United States and other countries to take this very seriously. There’s a handful of countries that are really driving the AI revolution.”
He stressed that while global governance may be lacking, the responsibility falls on the U.S. and the private sector to manage AI’s societal impacts.
“The risk is legitimate, and we should take it seriously,” he said.
Student reaction
Julie Wright, a senior in community and global health, said she was concerned by McCormick’s dismissal of the U.N. She attended the event because it was the first time the series brought in a Pennsylvania politician.
“To hear that the U.N. is not a serious body, I think, is a really shallow comment to make, especially at a university where there’s so much room for partnership,” Wright said. “That was really unsettling to me, especially coming from someone with private sector investments who didn’t address the voices of Pennsylvanians in his discussion.”
Wright, a former intern with Lehigh’s United Nations Partnership, described her experience with the program as transformative.
“We’ve brought speakers from all sorts of U.N. agencies to campus and lead trips almost every week,” she said. “To hear those comments at Lehigh was misinformed and sad.”
AI, energy and education
McCormick’s broader remarks highlighted his focus on U.S. competitiveness. He described AI as a “new industrial revolution — but on steroids” and linked its growth to the nation’s energy strategy.
“You really almost can’t say ‘the AI revolution’ without saying ‘the energy revolution,’” he said, citing Pennsylvania’s natural gas production and skilled workforce.
On education, McCormick said the U.S. risks falling behind in STEM fields and called for immigration reforms to attract global talent.
“We’ve got to win this talent war,” he said. “We still are the place that most of the greatest people want to go.”
Leadership and bipartisanship
McCormick noted his personal friendships across the aisle, including with Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, as part of his bipartisan approach. He reflected on the responsibilities of elected officials.
“I am constantly reminded of the fact that while, you know, three and a half million people voted for me, I represent everybody,” he said. “And so to conduct oneself so you can get things done, stay true to your principles, and recognize that a lot of people you are supporting and representing didn’t vote for you — that’s the opportunity, but also the challenge.”
