AI ‘Moving at the Speed of Light’: Urgent Recommendations for UN Expert Panel
AI is moving at the speed of light,
emphasized UN Secretary-General António Guterres, highlighting the pressing need for regulations on this transformative technology. He stated, “We need shared understandings to build effective guardrails, unlock innovation for the common good, and foster cooperation.”
The formation of the panel can be traced back to 2023, following the emergence of ChatGPT and other pioneering technologies that marked a new era in artificial intelligence. Guterres convened a group of leading technologists and academics, assigning them the task of developing recommendations for safe governance of AI.
A Vision for AI Governance
After extensive discussions, the experts proposed a framework for AI governance aimed at benefiting humanity. Central to this vision is the establishment of the International Scientific Panel, which will be independent yet supported by the UN.
According to Guterres, this panel will serve as the “first global, fully independent scientific body dedicated to narrowing the AI knowledge gap and assessing the real impacts of AI on economies and societies.” The panelists will engage in idea exchanges, conduct deep dives into critical areas such as health, energy, and education, and share leading-edge research.
Diverse Candidates and Representation
On a recent Wednesday, Guterres and Amandeep Gill, his Special Envoy on Technology, announced that the names of 40 prospective members will be submitted to the General Assembly, which will ultimately determine the panel’s membership.
Gill indicated that the nominees were selected based on their globally recognized expertise in AI, with attention also given to geographical representation and gender balance. The list includes 19 women and 21 men, such as:
- Sonia Livingstone (United Kingdom) – Professor at the London School of Economics and advisor on media literacy and rights in the digital environment.
- Balaraman Ravindran (India) – Head of the Department of Data Science and AI at the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras.
- Maria Ressa (Philippines) – Renowned journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
The Challenge of Consensus
Given the panel’s large and diverse membership, achieving consensus may be challenging, especially amid diverging attitudes towards regulation and rising geopolitical tensions. However, Gill noted that even during the Cold War, scientists globally collaborated on significant issues. “It’s one of the value-adds of the United Nations to provide mechanisms for advancing scientific understanding and common ground,” he said.
The General Assembly is expected to finalize the panel’s membership on February 12, with the first report due by July.
