Elements Paper: Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and Global Dialogue on AI Governance

This elements paper, dated February 28, 2025, pulls together the main ideas from consultations with Member States on January 17 and February 19, 2025, and with stakeholders on February 18. It says these ideas are not necessarily wording for a zero draft resolution. Rather, it offers a structured overview of scope, functions and governance for a scientific panel and a dialogue, both on AI, to steer negotiations on terms of reference and modalities as the Global Digital Compact requires. Both were mandated in resolution A/RES/79/1.

For the panel, the paper envisions an independent, multidisciplinary and globally representative body offering evidence-based assessments of impacts, risks, opportunities and capabilities. It would scan the horizon for early warnings and launch targeted research on capacity-building gaps. Experts would be selected on scientific merit, impartiality and expertise, with geographic, gender, cultural and linguistic diversity, through an open nomination overseen by a selection committee. It could create working groups and call on thematic experts, supported by a secretariat inside the UN. Assessments would appear at least yearly, with specialized briefs as needed, be released ahead of the dialogue, and be posted online in all six official UN languages with concise summaries.

The dialogue is described as an intergovernmental, multi-stakeholder platform for open, transparent and inclusive talks. It would support cooperation, sharing of best practices, capacity-building, links to the Sustainable Development Goals and human rights, and interoperability, while building on current initiatives. It would convene at least annually beside existing UN meetings, including in New York and Geneva, with active measures for developing countries' participation. Outputs would be non-binding and available in six languages, and the dialogue could propose areas of assessment to the panel. Both structures may be reviewed at the eighty-second General Assembly session.