The UNGA’s resolution is not just a symbolic gesture—it is the scaffolding for a more inclusive, scientific, and ethically grounded AI future.

The UNGA’s AI Scientific Panel and Global Dialogue—A Timely and Strategic Breakthrough for Global AI Governance

by ChatGPT-4o

The recent adoption by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) of the terms of reference for the AI Scientific Panel and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of international cooperation on artificial intelligence. Resolution A/RES/79/325, adopted on 26 August 2025, is more than a bureaucratic milestone—it is a proactive step toward a more inclusive, science-based, and development-oriented governance architecture for one of the most transformative technologies of our era.

Why This Is a Good Development

1. Evidence-Based Oversight Through the AI Scientific Panel
   The 40-member Independent Scientific Panel on AI will synthesize and assess global AI research, producing an annual non-prescriptive policy summary. This model—reminiscent of the IPCC for climate science—ensures that regulatory and governance discussions are rooted in credible, peer-reviewed, and up-to-date knowledge rather than political whims or commercial lobbying. Such a scientific anchor is essential to build trust in both the opportunities and the risks AI presents.

2. Multistakeholder Dialogue That Bridges Global Divides
   The Global Dialogue on AI Governance—to be held annually in Geneva and New York—will serve as a platform for governments, civil society, the private sector, and academic institutions. This inclusive approach addresses a longstanding criticism of AI governance: the disproportionate influence of a few powerful tech companies and countries. It also explicitly ties AI development to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a welcome move to ensure that AI contributes to equitable, global progress and digital inclusion.

3. Clarity and Consensus on International Norms
   Rather than jumping prematurely into a binding AI treaty, the resolution lays out a phased approach. It calls for intergovernmental consultations on shared priorities, based on the summaries from previous dialogues. This gradual, consensus-building method is likely to be more effective than top-down declarations and allows space for culturally diverse and regionally appropriate AI norms to emerge.

4. Operational Sustainability and Support for Developing Countries
   The resolution mandates the UN Secretary-General to mobilize system-wide resources, including the Inter-Agency Working Group on AI, for Secretariat support. Importantly, it encourages voluntary financial contributions to ensure global representation, including travel support for developing countries. Without such mechanisms, AI governance risks becoming a Global North echo chamber.

5. Institutional Flexibility with Review Mechanisms
   The terms of reference for both the Panel and Dialogue are not fixed permanently but are subject to review by the UNGA at its 82nd session. This allows adaptability as the global AI landscape evolves, ensuring the mechanisms can respond to emerging challenges and breakthroughs in AI capabilities.

Recommendations for Stakeholders

1. Governments:

• Proactively nominate qualified experts to the Scientific Panel to ensure regional balance and subject-matter depth.

• Incorporate findings from the Panel’s annual reports into national AI strategies, particularly in areas like public service delivery, education, and environmental monitoring.

• Use the Global Dialogue to build diplomatic alliances around shared governance priorities, especially for transboundary risks such as deepfakes, algorithmic bias, and autonomous weapons.

2. Regulators:

• Align emerging national or regional regulations with the Panel’s science-based assessments to avoid fragmentation and duplication.

• Engage in intergovernmental consultations actively, especially on sensitive issues like transparency, liability, and cross-border data access.

• Mandate companies to disclose AI model capabilities and training data in formats aligned with UN-backed governance reporting templates.

3. AI Makers and Tech Companies:

• Support the Panel and Dialogue through open data sharing and participation in thematic discussions.

• Adopt governance practices (e.g., model evaluations, bias audits, sustainability disclosures) that align with the UN's forthcoming policy summaries.

• Provide funding to ensure the participation of underrepresented regions, thereby reducing global governance asymmetries.

4. Rights Owners and Content Creators:

• Push for inclusion of copyright, licensing, and fair remuneration issues in the Dialogue’s thematic agenda.

• Participate in multistakeholder dialogues to promote transparent licensing regimes for training data and outputs.

• Use the UN's institutional legitimacy to advocate for international AI content usage standards that protect authors, artists, researchers, and educators.

Conclusion: A Unique Opportunity for Global AI Stewardship

The UNGA’s resolution is not just a symbolic gesture—it is the scaffolding for a more inclusive, scientific, and ethically grounded AI future. In an era marked by rapid AI deployment and growing geopolitical tensions, this structured but flexible approach offers a model for responsible innovation that respects both human rights and global development imperatives. If governments, regulators, companies, and civil society seize this opportunity with seriousness and sincerity, the result could be nothing short of a Global Digital Compact 2.0—an AI ecosystem that uplifts rather than divides, empowers rather than exploits, and governs rather than gambles.

If they fail, however, the alternative is clear: a fragmented and unequal AI landscape dominated by monopolistic platforms, unchecked harms, and widening digital divides. The UN has set the table. It is now up to the rest of the world to join the conversation—and act.