Global Cooperation on AI Governance
Putting inclusive and globally coordinated approaches to artificial intelligence governance into practice
The United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (UN ODET) supports international cooperation on AI governance through three connected pillars: science, policy and capacity. In this work, the Office advises UN senior leadership on AI and emerging technology trends, advocates for digital cooperation, facilitates inclusive multi-stakeholder policy dialogue and strengthens coordination across the United Nations system.
Science
Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence
Established by the UN General Assembly, the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence brings together leading experts to assess how artificial intelligence is transforming our lives, advance scientific understanding and help inform international deliberations with the best available evidence.
Latest from the Panel
AI Agents, Misalignment and the Risk of Losing Human Control
The Panel’s first thematic brief examines evidence from the OpenAI-Hugging Face incident as one of the clearest real-world warnings yet of one possible route to loss of human control over AI: capable agents pursuing goals that conflict with human intentions.
Preliminary Report
The Panel’s first scientific assessment provides a shared evidence base on AI capabilities, emerging opportunities, risks and impacts.
Policy
Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance
The Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance is the United Nations platform for governments and stakeholders to discuss international cooperation, share best practices and lessons learned, and hold open, transparent and inclusive discussions on AI governance.
Next Dialogue
3–4 May 2027
New York
The second Dialogue will take place in New York, back-to-back with the 11th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals.
The first Dialogue, held in Geneva on 6–7 July 2026, brought together more than 3,000 participants, with 163 countries represented, including six Heads of State and Government, more than 60 ministers and more than 1,000 stakeholder entities.
Capacity
September 2026
Report of the Secretary-General: Unique challenges faced by developing countries in artificial intelligence capacity-building
This report examines the unique challenges faced by developing countries in AI capacity-building and sets out recommendations to address them, including on financing and the state of AI capacity across countries.
Reference documents (2)
- Overview of UN system AI capacity-building activities in the civilian domain
- Overview of AI capacity-building financing announcements 2020–2026
July 2025
Report of the Secretary-General: Innovative Voluntary Financing Options for Artificial Intelligence Capacity-Building
This report provides an overview of financing needs and supply for AI capacity-building, alongside financing options and complementary measures to address emerging gaps.
Reference documents (5)
- Overview of consultation process
- Strategic Pathways for AI Capacity Building
- Overview of UN system AI capacity-building activities in the civilian domain
- Overview of AI capacity-building financing announcements 2020–2025
- Case Studies of Existing Innovative Financing Mechanisms and how they could be adapted for AI Capacity Building in LMICs
Accelerating Cooperation on AI Governance
AI Governance for Humanity Lab
The AI Governance for Humanity Lab is a UN initiative anchored in UN ODET and based in Valencia, Spain. It supports practical cooperation by connecting actors, sharing operational learning and supporting safe implementation of AI governance pathways for the benefit of humanity.
The Lab’s reports and practical resources are published through its own website.
Earlier work on AI governance
The UN Secretary-General convened the High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence in October 2023 as a 12-month, multi-stakeholder body to analyse and advance recommendations for the international governance of AI.
High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence
The Secretary-General’s High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence brought together 39 experts from 33 countries across government, the private sector, civil society and other fields, serving in their personal capacity.
Governing AI for Humanity
The Advisory Body’s final report builds on months of work, including extensive global consultations and the publication of an interim report in December 2023, and proposes seven recommendations to address gaps in AI governance arrangements.
Contact
Independent International Scientific Panel on AI
Global Dialogue on AI Governance
AI Governance for Humanity Lab
Secretary-General’s High-level Advisory Body on AI
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