The United Nations General Assembly has approved the creation of a new advisory body dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI), as governments worldwide grapple with the rapid rise of the technology and its potential risks.
In a resolution adopted Tuesday, member states agreed to establish the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. The body will consist of 40 experts serving three-year terms and will be tasked with providing evidence-based assessments of AI’s opportunities, risks, and global impacts.
This move comes in response to growing concern among governments that the swift advancement of AI, if left unchecked, could undermine democracy, erode human rights, and deepen inequalities. The panel will serve as a crucial platform for dialogue among governments and experts, offering guidance on governance frameworks.
The resolution also calls for an annual global dialogue on AI, beginning next year with a world summit in Geneva. These gatherings will bring together governments, private-sector representatives, civil society, and researchers to share best practices, promote cooperation, and ensure AI supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Costa Rican ambassador Maritza Chan Valverde, who co-led the negotiations with Spain, stated that the resolution reaffirms the UN’s “central role in guaranteeing that AI will serve humanity.” Secretary-General António Guterres is now expected to begin the process of selecting panel members from diverse scientific and technological fields. The rapid development of AI has sparked a global debate over regulation, with many calling for a global governance framework to prevent misuse, particularly in areas like surveillance, disinformation, and autonomous weapons.
