The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday approved the creation of two new global mechanisms aimed at strengthening international cooperation on the governance of artificial intelligence, in what UN Secretary-General António Guterres described as a historic move to ensure that AI serves humanity’s collective interest. The announcement came in New York late Tuesday following months of negotiations among member states and global stakeholders concerned about the unchecked development and deployment of AI technologies.
The two mechanisms, the United Nations Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, are intended to provide evidence-based guidance and a sustained platform for international policy coordination. The UN said the new structures will operate within the framework of the Global Digital Compact, adopted in 2024 as part of the broader Pact for the Future.
Guterres is expected to issue an open call for nominations to the Scientific Panel in the coming weeks. The panel, composed of global experts across disciplines, will provide annual reports assessing developments in AI technology, risks, and ethical implications. These findings will be presented at the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which will convene for the first time in Geneva in July 2026, followed by a second session in New York in 2027.
The move follows growing international concern over the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence without adequate global oversight. While countries and regional blocs have introduced national and cross-border regulations, the UN’s initiative seeks to create a universally inclusive approach that brings together governments, academia, industry, and civil society under one multilateral umbrella.
Scientific panel to present AI risk findings annually
The European Union, which has recently implemented its own AI Act and established the European Artificial Intelligence Office, welcomed the UN decision, emphasizing the need for consistent global standards to complement domestic regulation. Developing countries, particularly those represented by the Group of 77, have also pushed for equitable governance models that account for disparities in technological capacity and data access.
Global momentum toward AI governance has accelerated over the past year amid concerns around misinformation, algorithmic bias, surveillance, and the impact of AI on labor markets. These issues were highlighted during the 2024 UN Summit on the Future, which served as a catalyst for adopting the Global Digital Compact and called for institutional mechanisms to address AI challenges on a global scale.
While some stakeholders had advocated for the creation of a new international AI agency, similar to bodies like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the UN opted instead for a dual-structure mechanism focused on scientific integrity and policy dialogue. The approach aims to balance agility with authority, enabling timely responses to emerging AI risks while maintaining inclusivity.
BRICS and EU support UN leadership in AI regulation
Multilateral interest in AI governance has also been evident at other forums this year, including the BRICS Summit in Brazil, where leaders called for the United Nations to take the lead in shaping global norms for ethical and responsible AI. The UN’s new initiative is seen as a response to that call and an attempt to assert leadership in a field increasingly defined by geopolitical and commercial competition.
The United Nations is urging all stakeholders to support the new mechanisms and contribute to building a framework where artificial intelligence advances sustainable development, protects human rights, and reduces global inequalities. With the first reports from the Scientific Panel expected by mid-2026, the global community will be closely watching whether the initiative can translate political consensus into effective action. – By Content Syndication Services.