Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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February 20, 2026 Sustainable Development Goals
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the key role of science in the global governance of artificial intelligence, speaking Friday at an event in New Delhi, India, on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit.
"By building on science, we can transform artificial intelligence from a source of uncertainty into a reliable driver for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," he said.
The Secretary-General called on the international community to build a future "in which policies are as smart as the technologies they are designed to guide."
New expert group
Guterres noted that "AI innovation is advancing at lightning speed, outpacing our collective ability to fully understand it, let alone manage it effectively." He argued that for AI to serve humanity, policies must not be based on guesswork. What's needed are "facts that can be trusted—and shared across countries and sectors."
That's why the UN is developing mechanisms that place science at the center of international cooperation in the field of AI. In particular, the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence was recently established, which includes40 leading experts were included.
The group aims to bridge the AI knowledge gap and assess the real-world economic and societal impacts of new technologies, so that governments can make decisions with an equally clear understanding of the situation, regardless of their own technological advancement.
Accelerating progress and preventing risks
"The Group will provide a common analytical framework, helping Member States move from philosophical discussions to technical coordination and evidence-based decision-making," the UN chief emphasized.
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In addition, the international community will be able to identify potential consequences of AI in advance, such as risks for children or the labour market, which will allow countries to “prepare, protect people and invest in their future.”
Risk of fragmentation
Guterres noted that international cooperation today is complicated by declining trust and increasing technological rivalry.
"Without a common framework, fragmentation takes over, with different regions operating under incompatible policies and technical standards," the UN chief warned. This, he said, only increases costs, reduces security, and deepens inequality.
The Secretary-General indicated that countries could agree on "technical benchmarks" based on the work of the International Panel and another UN initiative, the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which will be held in Geneva in May.
Human control
Concluding his speech, the UN chief emphasized that human control over AI must be "a technical reality, not a slogan."
This means the need for “real human oversight in high-stakes decisions – in justice, health care, lending,” and a clear accountability system so that responsibility “is never shifted to an algorithm.”
“People must understand how decisions are made, have the opportunity to challenge them and receive answers,” the Secretary-General concluded.
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