UN Takes a Major Step on AI Governance: Resolution 79/325

On August 26, 2025, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 79/325, laying down the foundation for global AI governance. This marks one of the most significant international moves to date on how artificial intelligence should be studied, guided, and managed for the public good.

Two New Global Mechanisms

  1. Independent International Scientific Panel on AI
    • A multidisciplinary body of 40 experts, appointed for three years, representing diverse geographies and disciplines.
    • Its mandate: produce evidence-based, policy-relevant (but non-prescriptive) reports on the risks, opportunities, and impacts of AI.
    • Guided by principles of independence, credibility, and inclusivity, it will publish one annual report plus thematic briefs.
    • The Panel will be transparent: members must disclose conflicts of interest, and no UN employees can serve.
  2. Global Dialogue on AI Governance
    • A multi-stakeholder forum for governments, industry, civil society, and researchers.
    • Focus areas include:
      • Safe, secure, and trustworthy AI.
      • Human rights, ethics, and accountability.
      • Bridging the global digital divide through capacity-building in developing countries.
      • Open-source AI models and interoperability of governance frameworks.
    • The Dialogue will convene annually, alternating between Geneva and New York, with its first high-level meeting scheduled during the 80th General Assembly in 2025 and subsequent gatherings aligned with major UN events.

Why It Matters

  • This is non-military by design—the resolution explicitly excludes AI for warfare.
  • It signals a shift toward treating AI as a global commons issue, similar to climate change governance.
  • By linking the work of the Panel and Dialogue to the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN aims to ensure AI supports global equity and sustainability, not just technological progress.
  • Crucially, it embeds developing countries into the governance process, aiming to close AI capacity gaps.

What’s Next

The resolution calls for voluntary funding from states, private actors, and donors to ensure developing country participation. By 2027, the Dialogue will feed into the Global Digital Compact review, potentially shaping binding global norms on AI governance.

Please click here to read the full resolution.

Image credit: Wikimedia
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