From its first steps in the mid-twentieth century to the present day, artificial intelligence (AI) has been rapidly transforming our world.

AI includes a diverse range of technologies that can be defined as 'self-learning, adaptive systems.' It can be categorized based on technologies, purposes (like facial or image recognition), functions (such as language understanding and problem-solving), or types of agents (including robots and self-driving cars).

It also includes various methods and disciplines such as vision, speech recognition, and robotics, and serves to enhance traditional human capabilities. Recent progress in AI has been driven by advancements in computer processing power and data techniques.

Using AI as a force for good

AI has significant potential to support the UN by promoting inclusivity, reducing inequalities, helping to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthening the work of the United Nations system. It could become the great equalizer of the twenty-first century, but only if every country has the capacity and the voice to shape it.

For example, AI could support advancements in the SDGs by providing diagnostics and predictive analytics in healthcare (SDG 3); crop monitoring and climate resilience in agriculture (SDGs 2 and 15); personalized learning in education (SDG 4) and crisis mapping and aid distribution for humanitarian response.

But AI isn't just a game changer for sustainable development. It can help the UN respond to crises around the world, help nations collaborate to address climate-induced displacement, and become a force for good and save lives.

And yet, so far the benefits of AI are unevenly distributed, concentrated in a few powerful companies and countries. In 2025, among the world’s 500 largest known AI compute clusters, 75 per cent of computing power sits in the United States and 15 per cent in China. Every other country shares the remaining 10 per cent. As United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres affirmed, many nations struggle to access AI tools, highlighting the need for international cooperation and solidarity to bridge the AI gap for developing countries.

“Without adequate guardrails, AI could further exacerbate inequalities and digital divides and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable. We must seize this historic opportunity to lay the foundations for inclusive governance of AI – for the benefit of all humanity”.

While it has the potential to address some of humanity's greatest challenges, such as boosting economies and transforming societies, rapid AI development inevitably brings with it a host of risks and challenges, including threats to information accuracy and human rights.

Seeking global coordination for AI governance

AI does not stop at borders, and neither do its risks. Technology that will shape the future of humanity must be shaped by all humanity, not by a handful of countries or companies. The UN does not replace national regulators. Its role is to provide an independent evidence base, a universal table and support so that every country can take part.

In 2023, the Secretary-General convened a High-Level Advisory Body on AI. Its final report, Governing AI for Humanity (September 2024), set out a blueprint for the first globally inclusive architecture for AI governance. Two of its recommendations, an independent international scientific panel and a global policy dialogue on AI governance, have since been put in place by Member States.

The beginning of a new era of digital cooperation and security

The Global Digital Compact is a comprehensive framework designed to foster global cooperation in governing digital technology and AI. Adopted in September 2024 alongside The Pact for the Future, it provides a roadmap for enhancing global digital collaboration, harnessing the vast potential of digital technologies, and bridging existing digital divides.

Negotiated by 193 member states and informed by global consultations, this framework commits governments to upholding international law and human rights online. It emphasizes the need for concrete actions to ensure the digital space is safe and secure. In it, Member States agreed for the first time on shared principles for global cooperation on AI governance.

The scientific body guiding evidence-based AI governance

Building on the Global Digital Compact, the General Assembly established the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI in August 2025 to strengthen scientific understanding and ensure global deliberations are guided by the best available evidence. Composed of 40 independent experts from all five UN regions, serving in their personal capacity, it is the first global scientific body dedicated to assessing how AI is reshaping societies.

The Panel is mandated to produce an annual evidence based report on the opportunities, risks, and impacts of AI for presentation at the United Nations Global Dialogue on AI Governance.

It may also issue thematic briefs, update the General Assembly up to twice a year, form working groups, and consult external experts as needed. At the same time, it will examine the opportunities, risks, and impacts of artificial intelligence in the non-military domain. Its reports are policy-relevant but non-prescriptive, and its findings are not subject to UN review or approval.

The Panel published its preliminary report on 1 July 2026 and its first thematic brief, on AI agents and the risk of losing human control, on 21 September 2026.

The Global Dialogue on AI governance

The AI Dialogue brings governments, scientists, industry and civil society together to work on AI governance. It is designed to complement existing mechanisms and efforts, not compete with them. Every Member State was invited to its first meeting in Geneva on 6 and 7 July 2026, and 163 countries took part. It reconvenes in New York on 3 and 4 May 2027. The Panel presents its annual report at the Dialogue: the two are distinct but mutually reinforcing.

At the first Dialogue, the Co-Chairs observed emerging convergence in four areas: AI’s promise for sustainable development; the need to close persistent divides in infrastructure, computing power, data and skills; respect for human rights, in particular protecting children from AI-related harms, throughout the AI life cycle; and the recognition that no single government, company or institution can govern AI alone.

Building AI capacity in every country

Fewer than one in three developing countries has a national AI strategy. Capacity and safety cannot be separated: a country with no computing capacity of its own cannot meaningfully help shape the standards the rest of the world is debating.

More than 20 countries have joined the Secretary-General’s call for a UN-supported Global Network for Exchange and Cooperation on AI Capacity Building. He has also called for a Global Fund for AI Capacity-Building, with initial commitments of around US$3 billion, to build skills, data and affordable computing power everywhere. National efforts can be guided by the Blueprint for National AI and Data Strategies, which Lesotho became the first country to apply in August 2026.

Lights and shadows of AI: Putting people before profit

The evidence is mounting. The Panel has found that there are no scientific guarantees that AI agents will not violate their instructions, and warns of an evidence dilemma: by the time evidence on AI risks is conclusive, it may be too late to act on it. Innovation needs guardrails.

As the UN Secretary-General points out cautions in terms of peace and security “humanity’s fate cannot be left to an algorithm”, emphasising the importance of human control over decisions to use force, in order to promote the development and protection of all human rights.

This is clearly reflected in the four main areas of generative AI of concern to the United Nations:

  • Peace and Security: AI-powered disinformation is already endangering UN peace and humanitarian operations, putting staff and civilians at risk. Over 70% of UN peacekeepers responding in a recent survey said mis- and disinformation severely hampered their ability to carry out their work.
  • Human rights violations: AI is being used to create and spread harmful content, including child sexual abuse material and nonconsensual pornographic images, especially targeting women and girls. The UN is also deeply concerned that anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, racist and xenophobic content could be supercharged by generative AI.
  • Democracy at risk: The potential of AI to manipulate voters and sway public opinion during elections poses a significant threat to democratic processes around the world.
  • Undermining science and public institutions: For example, AI tools could escalate decades-long disinformation campaigns to derail climate action by amplifying false information about climate change and renewable energy.

AI and the UN system

AI governance and digital cooperation

The United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (UN ODET) was established by the General Assembly on 1 January 2025 to advance inclusive, rights-based and multi-stakeholder digital cooperation that respects national priorities and contexts. UN ODET also serves as the United Nations system-wide focal point for digital and emerging technologies.

UN ODET coordinates implementation of the Global Digital Compact across the UN system. On AI, it coordinates the Secretariat of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, which includes members from ITU and UNESCO and draws on other system-wide capacities. It is also part of the joint secretariat of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, together with ITU, UNESCO and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. It also helps countries build AI capacity, including through the Blueprint for National AI and Data Strategies.

AI and education

Artificial intelligence is profoundly transforming various aspects of our lives, providing valuable services through capabilities such as perception, problem-solving, and creativity. While these advancements contribute positively to global initiatives like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, they also raise significant ethical concerns. Issues such as bias, threats to human rights, and climate impacts are exacerbated by pre-existing inequalities, particularly affecting marginalized groups. In response, UNESCO adopted the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, aiming to address these ethical challenges on a global scale.

AI has the potential to address major educational challenges and transform teaching practices in support of Sustainable Development Goal 4. Understanding that, UNESCO has simultaneously issued its first Guidance on generative AI in education to help countries respond to the rapid emergence of these tools.

However, the rapid pace of technological change has outpaced the development of relevant policies and regulatory frameworks. To address this, UNESCO introduced the Digital Competency Framework to enhance the skills of civil servants and educators in the use of information and communication technologies.

AI and justice

The judiciary plays a vital role in the governance of AI, addressing ethical concerns related to bias and transparency while utilizing AI to improve access to justice. UNESCO's Judges Initiative provides training resources to support the judiciary in navigating these complex issues, reinforcing international standards on AI and human rights.

A tractor working a field with a computerized image on top.
Photo: Adobe Stock/metamorworks

AI for development

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is actively engaged in global discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies. This includes implementing the Global Digital Compact and following the recommendations of the Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Body on AI. UNDP collaborates closely with the UN Inter-Agency Working Group on AI and partners with organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union and UNESCO.

Beyond global coordination, UNDP has expanded its in house AI capacities. In 2024 it launched AI Sprint, a strategic initiative designed to accelerate responsible AI adoption across the organization.

In individual countries, UNDP promotes the use of AI to support sustainable development. For instance, the Accelerator Labs utilize AI to analyze earth observation data—such as satellite and drone imagery—to identify crop diseases in Cameroon and Cabo Verde, detect areas with accumulated waste in Guatemala, the Philippines, Serbia, and Vietnam, and to create land use and land cover maps in Ecuador and India.

AI and workers

The AI revolution could exacerbate economic inequalities between high- and low-income countries. While AI has the potential to drive innovation and productivity, the uneven investment in and adoption of AI technologies mean that high-income nations are likely to benefit far more than low- and medium-income countries.

This disparity, which is particularly pronounced in Africa, can lead to a deepening of existing social and economic divides, as developing countries struggle with insufficient digital infrastructure and access to quality education. To address these issues, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has identified three key policy pillars: improving digital infrastructure, promoting technology transfer, and building AI skills.

Developing countries need robust digital tools to support AI adoption, while high-income nations should assist in transferring technological know-how. Investing in education and training is crucial for equipping the workforce with the necessary AI skills.

Additionally, fostering social dialogue is essential to ensure that technological advancements respect workers’ rights and improve job quality. A 2025 global report on AI and occupational safety highlights both new opportunities and emerging risks in the workplace. In the same spirit, Mind the AI Divide urges policymakers, industry leaders, and international organizations to work together to ensure a fair and inclusive AI driven future.

A girl wearing a headphone set and taking an online course.
Photo: Adobe Stock/metamorworks

AI and children

No child should be a test subject for unregulated AI. The Secretary-General has called for an AI Child Safety Pledge with three simple rules for any system a child can reach:

  1. Prove it is safe: no company should deploy an AI system accessible to children without child-specific safety testing and independent oversight.
  2. Zero tolerance for sexual abuse: no company should allow its AI to generate sexual images of children, and every company must detect, report and remove them.
  3. Never leave a child in crisis alone: when a child shows signs of distress, the system must stop and connect them to real human support.

UNICEF has launched the Generation AI initiative to ensure that AI systems respect children's rights. Working with partners including the World Economic Forum and UC Berkeley, the initiative focuses on maximizing opportunities for children while mitigating the risks associated with AI technologies. The organization also closely monitors global AI trends through its 2025 analysis on generative AI.

The Children's Fund has developed policy guidance to promote children's rights within AI policies and practices. This guidance emphasizes the importance of considering children's needs and rights in the development and deployment of AI systems.

Virtual videoconference with a doctor.
Photo: Adobe Stock/metamorworks

AI and health

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published comprehensive guidelines for the ethical use of AI in healthcare. This framework outlines principles to ensure that AI technologies are designed and implemented in a way that prioritizes human well-being and upholds human rights. Complementing the guidance, a new regional report provides the first region wide assessment of how AI is being integrated into health systems.

In collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), WHO established this initiative to create a platform for stakeholders to discuss and develop standards for AI applications in healthcare, to harness the potential of AI in a responsible way.

Farmer looking at a tablet in the field.
Photo: Adobe Stock/metamorworks

AI and food

World Food Programme's (WFP) AI Sandbox serves as a testing ground for AI projects, allowing the organization to assess the feasibility and impact of AI solutions before implementation. This approach ensures that only effective and responsible AI tools are deployed.

This approach ensures that only effective and responsible AI tools are deployed and aligns with WFP’s Global Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2027, which integrates AI across its operations to optimize resources, strengthen emergency response, and enhance food security intervention.

In collaboration with Alibaba Group, WFP introduced Hunger Map LIVE, an AI-driven global hunger monitoring system that predicts and tracks hunger severity in over 90 countries, aiding in timely and targeted interventions.

 

Group of people with a computer-generated image of the planet Earth above them.
Photo: Adobe Stock/metamorworks

 

AI and refugees

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is using AI and big data to improve humanitarian response through its Data Innovation Programme, which provides services and training on the ethical use of data and works with partners to explore innovative approaches.

This work is reinforced by UNHCR’s AI Approach—a rights based, people centered framework that outlines how the agency leverages AI to enhance protection, inform humanitarian decision making and improve service delivery.

Additionally, Project Jetson uses a predictive analytics tool that employs AI to forecast population movements, enabling UNHCR to anticipate and prepare for potential refugee influxes, thereby improving response strategies.

 

A Smart warehouse management system using augmented reality technology to identify package picking and delivery.
Adobe Stock/Alex Pios

 

AI and the private sector

The United Nations Global Compact is a voluntary initiative based on CEO commitments to implement universal sustainability principles and take steps to support the UN’s goals. It encourages businesses worldwide to align their operations and strategies with ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. It's the world's largest corporate sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiative.

As 2030 approaches, innovative solutions are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The private sector, which accounts for over 60% of global GDP, has a key role to play in driving innovation and Generative AI (Gen AI) for sustainable development.

The UN Global Compact’s “Gen AI for the Global Goals” report includes actionable strategies, case studies, and insights on managing Gen AI risks, as well as resources for responsible implementation.

Resources