New York (Lamaane.net) – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called on governments to move without delay toward shared international rules for artificial intelligence, announcing the launch of a new UN-backed independent scientific panel designed to strengthen global understanding of the technology and support evidence-based AI governance.
Addressing an international event on artificial intelligence, Guterres said the initiative was established following a decision by the UN General Assembly as part of the follow-up process to the Pact for the Future. He described the newly formed Independent Scientific Panel on AI as a body of 40 distinguished experts drawn from different regions of the world and tasked with narrowing global knowledge gaps surrounding artificial intelligence.
"We are here to present an extremely important UN initiative on artificial intelligence,” Guterres said, explaining that the panel is the first fully independent global scientific body dedicated exclusively to assessing AI's impacts across economies and societies. He added that the group's work is intended to help the international community "separate fact from fakes and science from slop” by providing reliable and unbiased analysis of rapidly evolving AI technologies.
Guterres warned that advances in artificial intelligence are outpacing the development of internationally agreed governance frameworks. "AI could be the most powerful engine for development, speeding the world's progress on everything from health and hunger to learning and climate,” he said. At the same time, he cautioned that the technology also carries significant risks if deployed without coordinated oversight. "The more AI advances without shared rules, the less say governments and people will have in the outcome. So, our message to governments is simple: do not wait.”
Officials and delegates attending the event listened as the Secretary-General outlined the panel's long-term mandate to monitor developments in AI and provide scientific assessments that can inform policy discussions. Lamaane News Network observed that participants remained focused throughout the presentation, with representatives from member states exchanging views following the announcement on the future direction of international AI cooperation.
Guterres also confirmed that the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance will take place in Geneva next week, bringing together governments to discuss international approaches to regulating the technology. He said he intends to present additional proposals aimed at helping countries strengthen institutional capacity to manage AI responsibly and ensure broader access to its benefits.
The announcement comes as governments worldwide continue debating how to balance innovation with safeguards for privacy, security, transparency, and economic development. The UN initiative is expected to contribute scientific expertise to those discussions as policymakers seek common standards for one of the fastest-growing technologies shaping global economies and public institutions.
