Before the vote: informal diplomacy and positioning on Artificial Intelligence in the United Nations Security Council

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has recently entered the agenda of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), raising questions about governance models, legitimacy, and geopolitical alignments. This paper analyzes early-stage UNSC discourse on AI through qualitative content analysis of meeting records and correspondence (2023–2025). Findings reveal informal alignments among permanent members on seven themes, including multilateralism versus multi-stakeholderism and Global North – South divides, and consensus on human control over lethal autonomous weapons. These dynamics show how informal diplomacy can shape future governance frameworks on emerging technologies, and can guide norm-setting and capacity-building, helping inclusivity and inequality reduction in global governance.