NEW YORK - The Biden administration isn't just hesitant; it’s throwing cold water on U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres' ambitious vision of erecting new global institutions to govern the ever-expanding realm of artificial intelligence.

In a confidential paper sent to foreign governments at the U.N. and seen by Devex Senior Global Reporter Colum Lynch, the U.S. is making it clear now's not the time for lofty plans. Instead, it wants the U.N. to bolster existing international bodies already on the front lines of promoting lifesaving initiatives, shaping ethical norms, and crafting guardrails against the potential misuse of AI.

What’s the concern? The U.S. believes rushing into creating new U.N. governance mechanisms without a solid understanding of the limitations of current agencies could be jumping the gun. “It is our view that any proposals for new processes, panels, funds, partnerships, and/or mechanisms are premature,” the paper says.

This stance deals a severe blow to Guterres' efforts to position the U.N. at the center of global AI governance, especially in tackling pressing issues like poverty and inequality.

The U.S. paper challenges the recommendations of a panel of 38 experts appointed by Guterres, known as the High-Level Advisory Body on AI, which champions a robust U.N. role in global AI governance, echoing sentiments believed to be shared by U.N. leadership.

“This technology cries out for governance,” the experts say in their report. “The United Nations lies at the heart of the rules-based international order.”

But in a world where AI's rapid advance could reshape everything from health care to warfare, the stakes couldn't be higher, writes Colum. And as the U.S. applies the brakes, the debate over who will guide AI's dizzying march and ensure it doesn't overstep its mark continues.