The United Nations has clarified that it does not intend to act as a global regulator for artificial intelligence (AI), but will instead serve as a platform to build international consensus and cooperation. Ahead of the India AI Impact Summit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said multilateral engagement is the most practical way to balance the opportunities and risks posed by rapidly advancing AI technologies.
Guterres stated that the UN is preparing to launch an annual global dialogue that will bring together governments, the private sector, the scientific community and civil society. The objective will be to share national experiences, discuss policy options and work toward broad agreement on maximising AI benefits while minimising risks.
He emphasised that a centralised global regulator is neither feasible nor desirable given the wide differences in economic priorities, data frameworks and technological capabilities across countries. In this context, the UN’s role will be that of a coordinator and knowledge-sharing forum rather than a rule-making authority.
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Under its AI strategy, the UN is advancing three key initiatives. The first is the creation of an independent international scientific panel comprising 40 global experts. The panel will provide evidence-based assessments of AI developments, emerging risks and policy requirements, helping governments make informed decisions and strengthening public debate in democratic societies.
The second initiative is the proposed annual global dialogue platform with participation from all countries. This forum will enable discussions on standards, ethical frameworks and technical safeguards related to AI, though it will not produce binding regulations.
The third initiative is a voluntary global fund—proposed at up to $3 billion—to support capacity building in developing countries. The fund is intended to finance AI infrastructure, skills development, research and data resources, thereby reducing the widening technological gap between advanced and emerging economies.
Guterres said these measures align with the vision of the Global Digital Compact, which seeks to ensure an open, inclusive and secure digital future. He also praised India’s leadership in hosting the summit in the Global South, noting that it could help bring the perspectives of developing countries more prominently into the global AI governance discourse.
More than 30 UN-led sessions are scheduled during the summit, covering areas such as agriculture, healthcare, disaster management, women’s leadership in technology, ethical AI governance and responsible business practices. The discussions will focus on leveraging AI to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while safeguarding human rights.
During his visit, the Secretary-General is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with the President, the Prime Minister and other global leaders. He will participate in a roundtable on renewable energy and energy transition, with discussions on investment, grid expansion and energy storage.
Policy experts say building global consensus on AI governance will be challenging, but multilateral dialogue can help develop shared principles and best practices. The proposed capacity-building fund is seen as particularly significant for developing nations, as it could accelerate the creation of AI capabilities and research ecosystems.
Amid intensifying global debates on AI regulation, data protection and algorithmic accountability, the UN’s approach signals that the future governance framework for AI may be driven more by cooperation, transparency and shared knowledge than by centralised control.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
