The Independent International Scientific Panel on AI is a multilateral scientific body established within the United Nations system, serving as the first global scientific institution dedicated entirely to artificial intelligence. Its origin lies in the need for a shared, evidence-based understanding of AI's rapid development. The Panel was formally established by the UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/79/325 on August 26, 2025, following a commitment made in the Global Digital Compact, which was adopted as part of the Pact for the Future in September 2024. This mechanism was recommended by the UN Secretary-General's temporary High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence in August 2024.
The Panel works by producing evidence-based scientific assessments that synthesize existing research on the opportunities, risks, and impacts of AI, operating exclusively in the non-military domain. It is composed of 40 members appointed by the General Assembly on February 12, 2026. Its key mechanism is to issue one annual policy-relevant but non-prescriptive summary report. Crucially, it is not a regulatory or enforcement body and does not set binding rules or standards.
The Panel connects directly to the United Nations Global Dialogue on AI Governance, where its annual report is presented. Its function is often compared to that of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), providing a scientific foundation for global policy deliberation. The Panel is a new institution, with its inaugural meeting held on March 3, 2026, and its preliminary report released on July 1, 2026.