The United Nations has approved the creation of a new 40-member scientific panel to examine the risks and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence, marking a major step in global AI oversight efforts. The move passed the General Assembly by a vote of 117–2, with the United States and Paraguay opposing the measure, and Tunisia and Ukraine abstaining. Russia, China and several European nations backed the initiative.
António Guterres, the UN secretary-general, described the panel as a “foundational step toward global scientific understanding of AI,” saying it will provide independent expertise at a time when the technology is advancing rapidly.
A First-of-Its-Kind Scientific Body
The new Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence will publish annual reports assessing AI’s risks, benefits and broader societal impact. According to the UN, it is the first global scientific body dedicated specifically to this task.
Guterres said that as AI development accelerates, countries need reliable and neutral scientific analysis. He argued that the panel would allow member states — regardless of their technological capacity — to participate in discussions on more equal footing.
The 40 experts were selected from more than 2,600 candidates following an independent review process involving several UN bodies and the International Telecommunication Union. Members will serve three-year terms. Europe holds 12 of the seats, with representatives from countries including France, Germany, Spain, Poland and Finland.
Growing Alarm From Inside the AI Industry
The UN vote comes at a time of rising unease within the AI sector itself. Former employees at major companies have publicly voiced concerns about the direction and safety of the technology.
Mrinank Sharma, a former safety researcher at Anthropic, warned in an open letter that rapid AI development, combined with other global crises, puts “the world in peril.”
Zoe Hitzig, previously a top researcher at OpenAI, told The New York Times she has “deep reservations” about her former company’s strategy. Meanwhile, prominent tech figures including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, OpenAI chief Sam Altman, and Steve Wozniak have all cautioned about the potential dangers of unchecked AI growth.
US Pushback and Governance Debate
Despite broad international support, the United States strongly opposed the panel’s formation. Lauren Lovelace, the US representative, called it “a significant overreach of the UN’s mandate and competence,” arguing that AI governance should not be dictated by the UN.
The disagreement highlights a wider global debate over who should set the rules for emerging technologies. Supporters see the panel as a necessary platform for
