UN Moves to Establish Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, Submits Global Expert List to General Assembly
The United Nations has taken a significant step toward strengthening global governance and scientific understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) with the announcement of a new Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. The UN Secretary-General has formally submitted to the General Assembly a proposed list of 40 distinguished experts from around the world who are expected to serve on the panel, marking what officials describe as a milestone in multilateral cooperation on emerging technologies.
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| UN launches independent international scientific panel on artificial intelligence |
Speaking at a UN press briefing, the Secretary-General said the initiative is aimed at ensuring that artificial intelligence develops in a way that benefits all of humanity rather than a select few. He described AI as one of the most transformative forces of the modern era, already reshaping economies, public services, security systems, education, and social structures across the globe. Because of its speed and scale, he warned, no single country can fully grasp or manage its consequences alone.
The new panel is a direct outcome of the mandate given by UN member states under the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact, which call for stronger multilateral frameworks to address rapidly evolving technologies. According to the Secretary-General, this will be the first fully independent global scientific body dedicated exclusively to studying and assessing AI’s real-world impacts across sectors and societies.
He stressed the urgency behind the move, noting that AI development is advancing “at the speed of light,” while global understanding and governance structures are struggling to keep pace. The panel is expected to help bridge this gap by producing credible, science-based assessments that policymakers around the world can rely on. Its purpose is not to promote or restrict AI directly, but to provide a solid evidence foundation for better decisions.
One of the panel’s core goals will be to develop shared global understanding around AI risks and opportunities. UN officials say this includes examining economic disruption, labor market shifts, cybersecurity threats, misinformation, bias, human rights implications, and the social impact of automated systems. The panel will also highlight positive use cases, such as AI applications in healthcare, climate modeling, disaster response, and sustainable development.
The Secretary-General said the panel will help the international community “separate fact from fakes and science from slop,” referring to the growing confusion caused by exaggerated claims, misinformation, and commercially driven narratives around AI. By offering neutral, peer-informed analysis, the body is intended to serve as a trusted global reference point at a time when reliable and unbiased technical understanding is increasingly critical.
The expert selection process followed an open global call for nominations that ran for six weeks and generated more than 2,600 applications. Candidates came from diverse regions and professional backgrounds. According to UN technology officials, the evaluation process applied strict criteria defined in the General Assembly resolution establishing the panel’s modalities. These included technical excellence, interdisciplinary knowledge, global representation, gender balance, and subject-matter diversity.
The final proposed list includes experts in machine learning, data governance, public health, cybersecurity, education, child development, digital ethics, and human rights law. The gender composition stands at 19 women and 21 men. Officials noted that the group includes globally recognized leaders in their fields, including top-cited computer scientists and major international award recipients. All members will serve in their personal capacity rather than as representatives of governments, companies, or institutions, reinforcing the panel’s independence.
The panel is expected to operate on a fast-track timeline. Its first major report is scheduled to be delivered in time to inform a global dialogue on AI governance planned for July. That dialogue will bring together member states and stakeholders to discuss regulatory approaches, cooperation models, and risk mitigation strategies. UN representatives clarified that the panel itself will not make policy recommendations but will instead provide scientific assessments that enable more informed policy debate.
Beyond its annual reports, the panel may also publish shorter thematic briefs over its initial three-year mandate. Possible topics include AI’s impact on employment, education systems, public administration, and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. These focused papers would allow faster response to emerging issues and technological breakthroughs.
During the press conference, journalists raised concerns about the UN’s financial constraints and questioned how a new technical panel would be supported amid budget pressures. The Secretary-General responded that the initiative serves a clear global interest and expressed confidence that funding solutions will be found. He emphasized that member states have financial obligations to the organization and said discussions are ongoing about adjusting financial rules to ensure critical initiatives can proceed without disruption.
Questions were also raised about the military use of AI, including autonomous systems and AI-supported targeting in conflict zones. The Secretary-General acknowledged that the weaponization of AI is one of the most serious concerns facing the international community. He said the new scientific panel will play an important role in clarifying what technologies exist, how they are being used, and what risks they present, thereby supporting more effective international discussions on safeguards and limitations.
UN technology leadership explained that three organizations — the UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and UNESCO — are jointly supporting the panel’s secretariat. Coordination will be led by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies. Panel members themselves will not receive salaries and will contribute their time as independent experts, similar to other UN expert bodies.
Officials also addressed how the panel will handle geopolitical tensions and differing national approaches to AI regulation. They pointed to the UN’s long history of enabling scientific cooperation even during periods of political rivalry, noting that shared technical understanding often provides common ground where politics cannot. By focusing strictly on scientific evidence and transparent methodology, the panel aims to build credibility across regions and political systems.
Engagement with private AI companies and research labs is also expected, since much frontier AI research occurs in the private sector. However, UN representatives stressed that conflict-of-interest safeguards will be applied and that independence will be protected throughout consultations.
The proposed expert list has been circulated to member states and is expected to be considered for General Assembly approval shortly. UN officials said announcing the panel and its proposed members ahead of formal confirmation promotes transparency and allows preparatory work to begin quickly. With AI continuing to expand its influence across every sector, the UN says the new panel represents a timely step toward more coordinated, science-driven global governance.
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