UN launches scientific panel on AI
The United Nations has launched an Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. The body, which observers are comparing to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), will unite leading researchers to analyze AI's global impacts. Its mission is to provide evidence-based recommendations on issues from economic disruption to security risks.
The panel's creation by the UN General Assembly was formalized through resolution A/RES/79/325, which passed with a vote of 117-2. The United States and Paraguay were the lone dissenters, citing concerns about the UN's mandate and competence in AI governance. More than 2,600 individuals applied to be on the panel. The final 40 members were selected to serve three-year terms in their personal capacity, meaning they are independent of any government, company, or institution. The panel's composition reflects a wide range of expertise, from machine learning and cybersecurity to human rights and public health. Notable members include AI research pioneer Yoshua Bengio and Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa. This body is not a regulatory agency and will not create binding rules or policies. Its primary function is to serve as an "early-warning and evidence engine," helping to distinguish scientific facts from speculation. The panel is mandated to produce an annual, non-prescriptive summary report synthesizing the latest research. Its first assessment is expected in July to inform the UN's Global Dialogue on AI Governance, a separate platform for policy discussions. The panel's work originates from a mandate in the 2024 Global Digital Compact, which is part of the UN's broader "Pact for the Future" initiative. Operational support is provided by several UN bodies, including UNESCO and the International Telecommunication Union.
