The Secretary-General proposes the names of 40 international experts to join an independent international team for artificial intelligence

The Secretary-General’s announcement came during a press conference held today at the United Nations headquarters in New York, accompanied by Amandeep Gill, his Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technology Affairs.

The Secretary-General explained that, after a global open call that attracted more than 2,600 applications, he proposed to the General Assembly a list of names of individuals with deep experience in various disciplines, including machine learning, data governance, public health, cybersecurity, childhood development, and human rights, indicating that all members will work in their personal capacities, independent of any government, company, or institution.

Among Candidates for team membership: Tuqa Al-Hinai (United Arab Emirates), Mennatullah Al-Assadi (Egypt), Hoda Heydari (Iran), Bilal Mateen (Pakistan), Melaht Bilge Demirkoz (Turkey), Germaw Abyei-Tadesse (Ethiopia).

The first independent international scientific body

Guterres said that the formation of this team comes in direct response to the mandate granted by the member states Future Charter To promote multilateral solutions to emerging technologies that are reshaping all aspects of our lives.

He explained that the team will be the first completely independent global scientific body dedicated to helping bridge the knowledge gap in the field of artificial intelligence and assessing its real impacts on economies and societies.

Distinguishing between fact and fiction

The Secretary-General warned that artificial intelligence is developing at a rapid speed, and that no country can explore it alone, stressing the need for joint understandings to build effective controls, unleash innovation for the public good, and enhance cooperation.

António Guterres said the team would help the world “to… Distinguishing between fact and fiction, and between science and myths. “It will provide a reliable reference at a time when a reliable and unbiased understanding of artificial intelligence is needed more than ever.”

He continued, saying: “AI is changing our world. The question is: Will we shape this transformation together, or will we let it shape us? With deep geopolitical tensions and increasing technological competition, we desperately need common ground, a practical basis for cooperation based on science and solidarity. And that is what this committee can help achieve.”

The team is expected to release its first report in time to inform the global dialogue on AI governance in July.

The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation to the Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies, ITU and UNESCO for their vital support to this initiative. He explained that these three organizations will provide members to the committee’s secretariat, and his special envoy, Amandeep Gill, will assume the task of coordinating the secretariat’s affairs.