The United Nations General Assembly has approved the creation of an Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and a Global Dialogue on AI Governance, marking a major step in shaping global rules for AI.
The 40-member expert panel will issue annual reports on AI’s risks and opportunities, modeled after the IPCC for climate change. While non-binding, these reports are expected to guide governments and institutions in developing policy.
The Global Dialogue, launching informally at the UNGA in September 2025 and formally at the AI for Good Summit in Geneva in 2026, will bring together governments, industry, and civil society to share best practices.
The initiative stems from the Summit of the Future (2024) and was championed by Spain and Costa Rica. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described it as a vital bridge between science and policy.
Supporters say the move could prevent fragmented AI regulation and strengthen human rights protections. Critics warn it may lack independence if dominated by governments or corporations, and advocacy groups are pressing for stronger civil society participation.
The decision comes amid rising alarm about AI risks: a UN advisory group in 2024 recommended global risk monitoring, while researchers warn of an escalating AI “arms race.” The new Panel is seen as a first step toward a coordinated global framework for managing AI’s promise and peril.
