Artificial Intelligence · What's New in Digital
UN Creates Groundbreaking Panel for AI Governance
The United Nations General Assembly approved the creation of the first international scientific panel to assess the risks and impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), a historic decision aimed at establishing global consensus on technology governance.
The measure was formalized amid a landscape of rapid innovation and growing warnings about the dangers associated with AI, marking a fundamental step toward international cooperation in the sector .
The new body, named the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, was established by Resolution A/RES/79/325 on August 26, 2025, and its creation was approved in a vote at the General Assembly on February 13, 2026. The proposal received 117 votes in favor, with the United States and Paraguay opposed, and Tunisia and Ukraine abstaining .
"In a world where AI is advancing at great speed, this panel will provide what has been missing: rigorous, independent scientific analysis that enables all Member States, regardless of their technological capacity, to participate on an equal footing," said António Guterres, UN Secretary-General .
Composition and Mission of the Panel
The panel will consist of 40 experts from various fields, including AI scientists, academics, and prominent figures such as Filipino journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa. Members were selected from more than 2,600 applications through an independent review process conducted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies, and UNESCO. They will serve three-year terms.
The panel's main mission is to publish annual reports that summarize and analyze the risks, opportunities, and effects of AI around the world. The goal is to provide a solid and impartial scientific knowledge base to inform international deliberations and ensure that policy decisions are based on the best available evidence. This effort is part of the broader context of the Global Digital Compact, a UN initiative for an open, safe, and inclusive digital future.
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Voting Details
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Information
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Voting Date
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February 13, 2026
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Votes in Favor
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117
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Votes Against
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2 (United States, Paraguay)
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Abstentions
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2 (Tunisia, Ukraine)
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Political Context and Disagreements
The panel's creation was not without controversy. The United States' opposition stood out, with the country's representative, Lauren Lovelace, describing the initiative as "a significant intrusion into the UN's mandate and competencies." The Trump administration has advocated minimal AI regulation, expressing concern that international bodies could be influenced by authoritarian regimes.
Despite the formal opposition, two American experts were included on the panel. China and Russia, along with their European allies, voted in favor of the resolution, demonstrating broad, though not unanimous, support for the initiative. Ukraine's abstention was justified by its objection to the inclusion of a Russian expert on the panel .
Warnings from the AI Community
The panel's formation comes at a time of intense reflection and debate within the technology industry itself. Prominent figures such as Sam Altman (OpenAI), Dario Amodei (Anthropic), and Steve Wozniak (Apple) have publicly warned about the existential and social risks of AI. In addition, reports indicate that a growing number of researchers and engineers are leaving major AI companies over concerns about the safety and ethics of developing the technology .
Why does this matter?
The establishment of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence by the UN marks a milestone in the pursuit of global AI governance. Although it faces political challenges and significant disagreements, the initiative signals a collective commitment to understanding and mitigating the technology’s risks while seeking to harness its vast potential for the good of humanity. The panel’s annual reports will be eagerly awaited and have the potential to shape the future of AI regulation on a global scale.
