United Nations presents independent scientific panel�27s preliminary AI assessment and urges governments to act
July 02, 2026 | United Nations, International
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An agency official announced that the independent scientific panel on artificial intelligence is releasing its first assessment and urged governments to move quickly on AI governance.
The official said the panel, "the first global, fully independent scientific body" on AI, was created to "help the world separate fact from fakes and science from slop," and that its assessment "goes to every government and it is open to the public for everyone to see." He identified the panel 27s co-chairs as Yoshua Bengio and Maria Ressa and thanked all 40 members for their work.
"Used well, AI could be the most powerful engine for development, speeding the world 27s progress on everything from health and hunger to learning and climate," the official said, while also warning that "the more AI advances without shared rules, the less say governments and people will have in the outcome." He described the report as preliminary and said the panel will continue its work as the technology evolves.
The official said the assessment is being released on the eve of an inaugural global dialogue on AI governance in Geneva next week, which he described as an opportunity to "turn science into shared action with every nation at the same table." He added that he will set out proposals to help countries build capacity to manage AI and share its benefits.
The co-chairs were invited to take the floor following the announcement.
The report and the planned Geneva dialogue are framed by the UN as an effort to provide a reliable, science-based reference point amid widespread misinformation and rapid technological change. The assessment 27s status is preliminary; the panel will continue refining guidance as AI evolves.
The official said the panel, "the first global, fully independent scientific body" on AI, was created to "help the world separate fact from fakes and science from slop," and that its assessment "goes to every government and it is open to the public for everyone to see." He identified the panel 27s co-chairs as Yoshua Bengio and Maria Ressa and thanked all 40 members for their work.
"Used well, AI could be the most powerful engine for development, speeding the world 27s progress on everything from health and hunger to learning and climate," the official said, while also warning that "the more AI advances without shared rules, the less say governments and people will have in the outcome." He described the report as preliminary and said the panel will continue its work as the technology evolves.
The official said the assessment is being released on the eve of an inaugural global dialogue on AI governance in Geneva next week, which he described as an opportunity to "turn science into shared action with every nation at the same table." He added that he will set out proposals to help countries build capacity to manage AI and share its benefits.
The co-chairs were invited to take the floor following the announcement.
The report and the planned Geneva dialogue are framed by the UN as an effort to provide a reliable, science-based reference point amid widespread misinformation and rapid technological change. The assessment 27s status is preliminary; the panel will continue refining guidance as AI evolves.
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