The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to establish a 40-member international sci

The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to establish a 40-member international scientific panel focused on the societal, economic, and ethical impacts of artificial intelligence. Details: The panel was created by UN Secretary-General António Guterres with the goal of providing independent scientific insight into how AI affects countries with varying levels of technological capacity. Its members were selected from more than 2,600 nominees through an independent review, with experts from disciplines such as technology, economics, and society. The vote was 117 in favor, with only the United States and Paraguay voting “no” — the U.S. opposed on grounds that AI governance should not be placed under UN oversight and raised concerns about influence from authoritarian governments. The panel will aim to bridge knowledge gaps and help UN member states engage on AI policy, risk management, and equitable access to AI benefits. 💡 Why it matters: This is one of the first global efforts to bring scientific expertise into international AI policy discussions — helping countries navigate risks and opportunities around AI collectively.