Signal UN Independent International Scientific Panel on AI releases preliminary report ahead of Global Dialogue on AI Governance; Global South excluded from AI governance, UN warns

Summary

An international scientific panel co-chaired by Yoshua Bengio and Maria Ressa published a preliminary report warning that AI safeguards are not keeping pace with technological advance. The panel comprises 40 scientists and experts selected from more than 2,600 candidates across 140 countries, established by the UN General Assembly to assess AI's risks, opportunities and impacts. It specifically noted that Global South countries are largely excluded from discussions of AI development and governance. The report was presented at a press conference on 1 July 2026 lasting one hour and fifteen minutes, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres participating. A Global Dialogue on AI Governance was scheduled in Geneva for 6 and 7 July. The Trump administration criticised the initiative, preferring an innovation-friendly approach to UN-led regulation, while the co-chairs responded that the UN role complements rather than replaces individual national strategies.