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UN approves 40-member scientific panel on impact of artificial intelligence

February 13, 2026 4 min read International Relations Science & Technology GS Paper 2 (International Relations International Organisations) GS Paper 3 (Science & Technology)
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What Happened

  • The UN General Assembly voted 117-2 to approve the creation of a 40-member Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, with only the US and Paraguay voting against.
  • The panel, proposed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, will provide evidence-based scientific assessments of AI's opportunities, risks, and socio-economic impacts.
  • Guterres called the adoption "a foundational step toward global scientific understanding of AI" and described it as the first fully independent global scientific body dedicated to bridging the knowledge gap on AI.
  • The 40 members were selected from over 2,600 applications through an open global call, with expertise spanning machine learning, data governance, public health, cybersecurity, and human rights.
  • The panel's first report is expected before the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in July 2026.

Static Topic Bridges

Global Digital Compact and AI Governance Architecture

The Global Digital Compact (GDC), adopted by UN member states in September 2024, serves as the framework document for international digital cooperation. It formally mandated the creation of both the Scientific Panel on AI and a Global Dialogue on AI Governance. The GDC represents the first comprehensive multilateral framework attempting to govern the digital and AI ecosystem.

  • The GDC was adopted as part of the Pact for the Future at the UN Summit of the Future (September 2024).
  • It addresses digital divides, data governance, online safety, AI governance, and digital public goods.
  • The Scientific Panel is designed as an "IPCC for AI" -- modelled on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, providing periodic scientific assessments to guide policy.
  • The Global Dialogue on AI Governance will serve as the intergovernmental forum where member states discuss the panel's findings and negotiate governance norms.

Connection to this news: The UNGA vote operationalises a key commitment of the Global Digital Compact, establishing the institutional infrastructure for multilateral AI governance at a time when AI capabilities are advancing rapidly.

India's AI Strategy and Global Positioning

India has positioned itself as a key voice in global AI governance, advocating for inclusive development and equitable access. The IndiaAI Mission (launched 2024, Rs 10,372 crore allocation) and the country's role in G20 AI discussions reflect its dual identity as both an AI developer and a country seeking safeguards for its large population.

  • The IndiaAI Mission includes pillars for computing infrastructure, foundational models, datasets, skilling, startup financing, and application development.
  • India co-led the G20 AI Principles during its 2023 presidency, emphasising responsible AI development.
  • India is a founding member of the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), which merged with the OECD's AI work in 2024.
  • Indian IT services companies are significant players in global AI deployment, while domestic concerns about job displacement and algorithmic bias remain prominent.

Connection to this news: The new UN panel offers India an institutional platform to advocate for AI governance frameworks that address developing country concerns, including equitable access to AI benefits, data sovereignty, and protection against AI-driven labour displacement.

US Opposition to Multilateral Technology Governance

The US has increasingly resisted binding multilateral frameworks in technology governance, preferring industry self-regulation and bilateral or plurilateral arrangements. This pattern extends from the Paris Agreement withdrawal to opposition to UN-level digital regulation.

  • The US voted against the resolution, arguing that the panel could stifle AI innovation and impose bureaucratic oversight on a rapidly evolving technology.
  • The US has preferred alternative governance models, such as the AI Safety Institutes network (bilateral agreements with the UK, Japan, and others) and voluntary commitments from AI companies.
  • This opposition reflects a broader tension between the Global South's push for inclusive multilateral governance and major tech powers' preference for lighter-touch, industry-friendly frameworks.
  • China, despite its own AI ambitions, voted in favour of the panel, aligning with the developing world majority.

Connection to this news: The 117-2 vote margin illustrates the growing isolation of the US position on multilateral technology governance and the strong global demand for institutional mechanisms to assess AI's societal impact.

Key Facts & Data

  • UNGA vote: 117 in favour, 2 against (US, Paraguay), with remaining countries abstaining or absent.
  • The panel comprises 40 members selected from over 2,600 applicants globally.
  • The panel is modelled on the IPCC structure, providing annual policy-relevant but non-prescriptive reports.
  • The first report is due before the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in July 2026.
  • The Global Digital Compact was adopted at the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024.
  • India's IndiaAI Mission has an allocation of Rs 10,372 crore.
  • The panel will cover machine learning, data governance, public health impacts, cybersecurity, and human rights dimensions of AI.