Artificial intelligence has become a major part of our lives. Big tech giants are rushing to build AI models that can find hidden software flaws on their own, potentially becoming a risk for financial systems. Amid the AI rise, the United Nations has warned that AI is developing much faster than the rules needed to govern it safely. Launching a new scientific assessment on AI, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the government should not delay action, stressing that the world already has enough evidence to understand both the opportunities and risks of the technology.
Guterres said, “The science is here. We can no longer say we did not know. What we do with it is now up to all of us.” He added that if AI continues to advance without shared global standards, many governments and citizens across the world may lose influence over how the technology may shape the society.
First Independent Global Scientific Assessment
The UN published a report, first of its kind, with a major assessment by the UN’s Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, a group of 40 scientists and experts representing all five UN regions. Instead of creating regulations, the panel evaluates scientific evidence to help governments make informed policy decisions.
Notably, the report studies the AI’s impact across various areas including science, healthcare, education, agriculture, the economy, security, human rights, democracy, culture, governance and system reliability.
How AI Is Already Changing Everyday Life
The panel notes that AI is no longer restricted to answering questions and generating text. Modern AI tools can write software, analyse information, create realistic images and videos, support scientific discoveries and increasingly complete tasks with limited human supervision.
It also notes that various real-world benefits are already being seen across different sectors. Researchers have used AI to predict the structure of over 200 million proteins, speeding up medical research and drug discovery. Hospitals are using AI to detect diseases such as breast cancer earlier, while healthcare workers in developing countries are using AI tools in local languages to improve patient care.
Rising Risks Remain A Big Concern
Despite the benefits, the panel notes AI is creating serious challenges that require stronger oversight. It warned that AI is making it easier to create convincing false information, sexually explicit deepfakes and online abuse. Moreover, criminals are also using AI for cyberattacks, fraud and sophisticated scams.
Notably, the report also acknowledges that concerns related to AI data centers are also increasing as they consume large amounts of electricity, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
What lies ahead is that this preliminary report will guide further discussions at the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance, scheduled to take place in Geneva on July 6 and July 7 2026.