NEW DELHI, Feb 20: United Nations Secretary General António Guterres on Friday urged nations to adopt science led AI governance, stressing that evidence based global rules are vital to ensure artificial intelligence advances human rights, safeguards societies, and promotes equitable innovation.
Addressing the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Guterres underscored the rapid evolution of AI technologies, cautioning that their cross-border nature demands coordinated international oversight. “AI does not stop at borders,” he said, adding that policymaking must be grounded in scientific assessment rather than speculation or misinformation.
He announced the formation of an Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, endorsed by the UN General Assembly and comprising 40 multidisciplinary experts. The body will evaluate AI’s economic and societal impacts and provide a shared evidence base for governments. Its inaugural report is scheduled ahead of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in July.
The UN chief warned that fragmented regulatory approaches could increase costs, weaken safety mechanisms, and deepen global disparities. Harmonised technical standards, he noted, would foster interoperability, enabling innovators worldwide to scale responsibly and competitively.
Describing scientific oversight as an “accelerator” rather than a constraint, Guterres advocated risk-based safeguards that protect individuals, uphold accountability, and preserve human agency in high stakes applications. He emphasised that meaningful human supervision must remain central to AI deployment.
Calling for reduced polarisation in technology debates, he urged countries to prioritise facts over fear, positioning responsible AI development as a crucial driver for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.