UN Establishes New IPCC-Style Scientific Panel on AI

On February 27, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly approved the establishment of an Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. The panel's primary role is to produce regular assessments of the real-world effects of AI, encompassing its economic and social impacts, and to compile a comprehensive catalog of potential risks. This body is intended to serve as a global, impartial, and authoritative source of information for policymakers and other stakeholders.

The 40-member panel comprises experts from 37 nations, including prominent figures such as Turing Award laureate Yoshua Bengio and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa. The members bring a diverse range of expertise, not only in core technical AI but also in areas like public interest and social impact, ensuring a holistic approach to their assessments. The panel is described as the first fully independent global scientific body focused on bridging knowledge gaps in AI across member states.

The resolution to create the panel was passed with the support of 117 member states. However, the United States and Paraguay voted against it, while Ukraine and Tunisia abstained. The U.S. delegation voiced objections on both mandate and process grounds, arguing that AI governance should not fall under UN jurisdiction and raising concerns about the transparency of the panel's formation. There are also underlying strategic concerns that a UN-led scientific consensus could be influenced by authoritarian regimes, potentially disadvantaging countries at the forefront of AI innovation. Ukraine’s abstention was due to the inclusion of a Russian expert on the panel.

The creation of this panel marks a significant step towards global cooperation on AI governance. It aims to provide a shared scientific understanding of AI's opportunities and challenges, similar to the role the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) plays for climate science. However, the opposition from the United States, a key player in the AI landscape, highlights the geopolitical tensions surrounding the governance of this powerful technology and may impact the panel's influence and effectiveness in the long run.