TLDR: The United Nations General Assembly, on August 26, 2025, officially established two new mechanisms aimed at fostering international cooperation and coordination in the governance of artificial intelligence (AI). These bodies are the UN Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance. The initiative is seen as a crucial step to balance the immense opportunities presented by AI with its inherent risks, providing a centralized approach to a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
In a landmark decision on August 26, 2025, the United Nations General Assembly approved the creation of two pivotal mechanisms designed to shape the future of artificial intelligence governance on a global scale. These new entities, the United Nations Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, represent a significant stride in international efforts to manage the benefits and risks associated with rapidly advancing AI technologies.
Secretary-General António Guterres lauded the General Assembly’s decision, emphasizing that the establishment of these mechanisms marks a ‘pathbreaking milestone’ in international cooperation on emerging technologies. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric further noted that this development underscores Member States’ commitment to building upon the Global Digital Compact, which was adopted in September 2024 as part of the Pact for the Future.
The UN Independent International Scientific Panel on AI is conceived as an advisory body, tasked with bridging cutting-edge AI research with policymaking. This panel will deliver independent, evidence-based assessments to guide policymakers, enabling governments and institutions to anticipate both the risks and opportunities presented by AI systems. It is expected to comprise 40 experts, including some of the most renowned in the field, representing diverse geographies, genders, and disciplines. These experts will serve three-year terms, with nominations for members to be opened by the Secretary-General soon.
Complementing this, the Global Dialogue on AI Governance will serve as an inclusive forum within the UN. This platform will bring together member states and a wide array of stakeholders, including industry, civil society, and researchers, to debate critical issues surrounding AI. Discussions will encompass AI’s impact on jobs, security, human rights, and privacy, aiming to anchor AI governance conversations at the multilateral level and integrate them with broader global digital policy frameworks.
The first annual report from the Scientific Panel is slated for presentation in July 2026 during the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, with a subsequent session planned for New York in 2027. Secretary-General Guterres has urged broad participation from all sectors, stressing the necessity of collective effort to ensure that AI advancements serve ‘the common good of all humanity.’
While these international frameworks are being established, Ciarán Bollard, CEO of The Corporate Governance Institute, highlighted the urgency for businesses to implement their own internal AI governance frameworks. Bollard stressed that waiting for international regulations, which often take years to develop, exposes companies to significant regulatory, ethical, and reputational risks. He advised businesses to treat AI oversight as a ‘present-day responsibility,’ establishing ethical frameworks, risk management processes, and accountability mechanisms now to be better prepared for future international rules.
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This dual approach by the UN aims to provide a centralized alternative to the currently fragmented governance strategies emerging across different regions, such as the United States, the European Union, and China, fostering a more unified and inclusive global approach to AI.
