UN launches global AI advisory panel
The United Nations has established an Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence to analyze the technology’s social, economic, and ethical consequences. Comprised of dozens of researchers from around the world, the body will advise on best practices, regulatory frameworks, and international cooperation on AI.
This scientific panel is the first of its kind, designed to be an ongoing, evidence-based engine for the international community, rather than a one-off report or a time-limited initiative. Its mandate includes producing an annual report on the opportunities, risks, and impacts of AI, which will be presented at the UN's Global Dialogue on AI Governance. The 40 members of the panel were appointed by the UN General Assembly in February 2026 after a selection process that vetted over 2,600 applicants. The group is geographically diverse, gender-balanced, and includes experts from academia, the private sector, civil society, and government. The creation of the panel was formally agreed upon by UN member states in September 2024 as part of the Global Digital Compact. The resolution to establish the body was adopted by the General Assembly in August 2025. The panel's formation, however, was not unanimous. The appointments were approved by a vote of 117 in favor to two against, with the United States and Paraguay objecting. The U.S. representative argued that the panel represented an "overreach of the UN's mandate and competence." This body is distinct from the temporary High-Level Advisory Body on AI convened in 2023, which included figures like OpenAI's CTO Mira Murati and was tasked with providing initial recommendations ahead of the 2024 Summit of the Future. The new panel is intended to provide continuous, independent scientific assessments. The panel is not a regulatory body and will not set rules or enforce standards. Its primary role is to synthesize research and provide rigorous, evidence-based analysis to inform international policymaking and close the global knowledge gap on AI's real-world impacts. Members will serve in their personal capacity for a three-year term, from February 2026 to February 2029. To ensure impartiality, they are required to disclose any financial, professional, or personal interests that could create a conflict.
