UNITED NATIONS — UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the formation of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. Designed to function similarly to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), this body is tasked with providing a definitive, evidence-based assessment of AI’s impact on global economies and societies.
The panel was established following the August 2025 General Assembly resolution and is a key outcome of the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact.
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A Multidisciplinary Powerhouse
The panel consists of 40 experts selected from over 2,600 applicants worldwide. These members serve for a three-year term in their personal capacities, remaining independent of any government or corporation.
Key Members Include:
- Maria Ressa (Philippines): Nobel Peace Prize laureate and journalist, focusing on the intersection of AI, misinformation, and democracy.
- Yoshua Bengio (Canada): A “Godfather of AI” and Turing Award winner, known for his work on deep learning and AI safety.
- Joelle Barral (France): Senior Director for Research and Engineering at Google DeepMind.
- Girmaw Abebe Tadesse (Ethiopia): Principal Research Scientist at Microsoft, specializing in AI for health and sustainability.
- Bilal Mateen (Pakistan): A clinical scientist and expert in digital health and data science.
- Sonia Livingstone (UK): Professor at LSE, specializing in digital rights and childhood development.
“AI is transforming our world.
The question is whether we will shape this transformation together, or allow it to shape us.” @antonioguterres proposes 40 individuals from every region to serve on the new Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. pic.twitter.com/tK6xmGcf2p
— United Nations Geneva (@UNGeneva) February 5, 2026
Mission and Deliverables
Guterres emphasized that “AI is moving at the speed of light,” and the panel’s primary role is to help the world “separate fact from fakes and science from slop.”
- First Report: The panel is on a fast track to publish its first comprehensive report by July 2026.
- Global Dialogue: The report will serve as the scientific foundation for the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, scheduled to take place in Geneva in July 2026.
- Scope: Research will “deep dive” into high-priority sectors including public health, cybersecurity, energy, and human rights.
The 2026 AI Governance Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
| Feb 4, 2026 | Panel members announced by Secretary-General. |
| Feb 12, 2026 | Final confirmation of members by the UN General Assembly. |
| Feb 16-20, 2026 | AI Impact Summit in New Delhi (India-hosted companion event). |
| July 2026 | Release of the First Independent Scientific Report on AI. |
| July 2026 | Global Dialogue on AI Governance (Geneva). |
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Why It Matters
The launch of this panel marks the UN’s attempt to reclaim a central role in AI regulation, which has largely been led by the “Big Tech” firms and a few powerful nations. By creating an “evidence engine,” the UN aims to bridge the digital divide between the Global North and South, ensuring that AI development is inclusive, safe, and aligned with international law.
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