President Pavel warns of artificial intelligence risks at Forum 2000

Czech President Petr Pavel has warned that artificial intelligence carries risks that society does not yet know how to control. Speaking at the opening of the Forum 2000 conference in Prague, he said that the more powerful technologies become, the greater people's responsibility to ensure that their development and use remain subject to democratic oversight, public accountability and respect for fundamental rights.

“Technology should strengthen human freedom and resilience, not weaken our autonomy,” Pavel said. He also spoke about the need to support Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression. “We can learn a great deal from Ukraine's unique experience of resisting every form of hostile pressure, including disinformation and cyberattacks,” he said.

As another example of courage, the president named the people of Myanmar, who are paying an extraordinarily high price for standing up to the military regime. “Many of them have been arrested and remain behind bars to this day. They may seem powerless, but they are not without power,” Pavel said, referring to former president and Forum 2000 co-founder Václav Havel. According to Pavel, their courage exposes the weakness of those who need a prison to silence the truth. “The power of the powerless reminds us that truth matters even when technology amplifies lies. That freedom must be defended, and that even those without formal power can make a difference,” the president added.

Pavel speaks at the conference every year, but at the opening of its 30th edition he addressed participants in a pre-recorded video: the head of state is on a private trip abroad and is due to return to his working schedule next Monday. Former US president George W. Bush also appeared in a short pre-recorded video. He described Havel, who would have turned 90 this year, as a man who understood that all people deserve fundamental rights and freedoms.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz