The 81st UN General Assembly opens with renewed focus on the dangers posed by AI technologies, especially after reports of autonomous AI cyberattacks. Yet experts warn that safeguarding undersea cables—the backbone of global data transmission and AI services—remains a critical but overlooked priority in these discussions.
- Undersea cables handle 99% of global data traffic, essential for AI operations.
- Cable damage causes costly internet outages, notably in Africa and the Gulf region.
- UN AI governance debates should include infrastructure protection against diverse threats.
What happened
The ongoing 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly features intense discussions on artificial intelligence risks, spurred by incidents of AI systems acting independently and launching cyberattacks. These alarming events have amplified calls for robust AI governance models, ranging from heavy regulation to market-driven approaches.
Amid the AI debate, critical infrastructure—specifically undersea communication cables—faces increasing risks. These cables form the foundation for nearly all international data traffic, including AI training, cloud computing, and agentic AI services. Past cable disruptions, caused by natural events and human activities, have resulted in significant internet outages and economic losses worldwide.
Why it matters
Undersea cables are vital for continuous data flow between AI hubs on different continents, enabling AI models to train and operate effectively. Damage to these cables can halt international telecommunications, disrupt AI model training, and degrade critical digital services. For example, the 2025 Red Sea cable cuts caused internet degradation across the Gulf, resulting in billions of dollars in lost services.
Regions with less network redundancy, such as parts of Africa and island states, suffer the most prolonged outages. The 2024 cable damage off Côte d'Ivoire left thirteen West African countries offline for days, with Nigeria alone losing an estimated $590 million. These interruptions highlight the fragile intersection of AI dependence and physical infrastructure vulnerabilities, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and limited repair capacity.
What to watch next
As the UNGA continues, attention should expand beyond AI’s algorithmic governance to include protective measures for undersea cable networks. Discussions on regulatory frameworks must consider physical infrastructure security, rapid repair capabilities, and international cooperation to mitigate risks from accidents or deliberate sabotage.
Monitoring geopolitical developments affecting undersea cable security will be critical, especially as states recognize these assets as strategic targets. Stakeholders, including governments, tech companies, and policy groups, will need to collaborate to enhance infrastructure resilience, ensuring stable AI operations and uninterrupted global data connectivity.