The United Nations General Assembly today adopted by consensus resolution A/RES/79/325, establishing two new mechanisms to strengthen international cooperation on artificial intelligence governance: the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
The adoption by consensus reflects broad support from the international community and a commitment to work collectively around shared principles for the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence.
This initiative marks a milestone in the Global Digital Compact process, approved during the Summit of the Future, and represents a decisive step forward in promoting the safe, ethical, and inclusive use of artificial intelligence on a global scale.
In November 2024, the President of the UN General Assembly, Philémong Yang, tasked the Permanent Representatives of Spain and Costa Rica, Héctor Gómez and Maritza Chan, with facilitating the intergovernmental process to define the mandate and operating modalities of both mechanisms. Their leadership was key to reaching the consensus that led to this resolution.
The Independent International Scientific Panel on AI will act as an essential link between cutting-edge scientific knowledge and public policy-making. Through independent, evidence-based assessments, the panel will enable the international community to anticipate emerging challenges and develop informed strategies for the effective governance of this transformative technology.
The Panel will be composed of 40 independent experts, appointed for a three-year term, with a balanced composition in terms of geography and gender. Its approach will be multidisciplinary, with the participation of the most renowned specialists in the field of artificial intelligence. It will issue an annual report, whose findings will be presented to Member States at the UN General Assembly and at the Global Dialogue.
For its part, the Global Dialogue on AI Governance will serve as a multilateral, multidisciplinary, and inclusive platform within the United Nations. Through this forum, Member States, experts, civil society, the private sector, and other key actors will be able to collectively discuss the risks, opportunities, and ethical dilemmas posed by artificial intelligence, in search of consensus and shared solutions.
With this resolution, the UN is taking a firm step toward building an international framework for human-centered artificial intelligence, based on the principles of transparency, fairness, and sustainability.