UAE Joins United Nations Independent Scientific Panel On AI To Shape Global Governance

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has proposed a list of 40 experts for a new Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, describing it as a decisive step to ensure that artificial intelligence serves all people. The proposed members include Tuka Alhanai from the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the role of regional voices in shaping global AI governance.

Guterres told reporters at United Nations Headquarters in New York that all selected experts are expected to serve in a personal capacity, not as representatives of any government, company or institution. The panel is designed as a fully independent global scientific body, intended to provide objective advice on artificial intelligence and its impact across societies and economies.

The Secretary-General explained that the decision to establish the artificial intelligence panel follows a clear mandate from Member States. This mandate is set out in the "Pact for the Future," a political agreement that seeks to strengthen multilateral responses to emerging technologies that are reshaping many aspects of human life, from the economy to social systems.

According to Guterres, the panel will be the first body of its kind with a global scope and full independence. Its core mission is to bridge major knowledge gaps on artificial intelligence, assess how AI tools are changing economies and societies, and help governments and institutions gain a clearer picture of the technology’s real-world consequences.

Guterres warned that the rapid spread of artificial intelligence makes collective action urgent, stating that no country can manage the challenge alone. "AI is moving at the speed of light. No country can see the full picture alone," Guterres said, stressing that governments need a shared evidence base to respond effectively to both risks and opportunities.

He argued that policymakers require reliable scientific advice to design rules that both protect people and support innovation. "We need shared understandings to build effective guardrails, unlock innovation for the common good, and foster cooperation." Guterres linked these shared understandings to the wider goal of international cooperation on artificial intelligence safety and governance.

The Secretary-General noted that artificial intelligence is transforming the world at an accelerated pace, affecting information systems and public debates. He said the new panel is expected to help distinguish facts from misinformation, and rigorous science from unreliable content, providing a trusted reference point at a time when clear, accurate understanding of artificial intelligence is more important than ever.

Explaining how the proposed list was created, Guterres said the United Nations launched a global open call that attracted more than 2,600 nominations. From this pool, the Secretariat compiled a balanced list of 40 experts with deep experience across multiple fields, such as machine learning, data governance, public health, cyber security, child development and human rights.

Guterres also underlined that the artificial intelligence panel is expected to work on an accelerated schedule. The first report is planned in time to contribute to the global dialogue on artificial intelligence governance scheduled for July, offering Member States and stakeholders a scientific basis for discussions on how best to manage AI’s benefits and risks.

With inputs from WAM