Africa: Science-Led Governance of AI Can Help Power Sustainable Development - Guterres
AllAfrica
February 23, 2026
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UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the critical role of science-driven policies in governing artificial intelligence (AI) to promote sustainable development during an event at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, India. He stressed that by grounding AI governance in reliable scientific data, nations can transform this rapidly evolving technology into a tool for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Guterres urged the international community to adopt evidence-based policies that keep pace with AI's rapid advancements and ensure it serves humanity effectively.
The UN chief highlighted the urgent need for a coordinated global approach to AI governance. He noted that while AI innovation is progressing at an unprecedented speed, it outpaces our ability to fully understand or regulate its impacts. To address this gap, Guterres announced the establishment of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, a group of 40 leading experts tasked with assessing the real-world implications of AI technologies across economies and societies. This initiative aims to provide countries with a shared knowledge base, enabling them to move beyond theoretical discussions and focus on technical collaboration.
Guterres underscored that science-led governance of AI is not a barrier to progress but rather an accelerator for solutions. By leveraging scientific expertise, nations can identify the areas where AI can make the most significant positive impact quickly. This approach also helps ensure that AI development is safer, fairer, and more inclusive. Additionally, it enables countries to anticipate potential risks, such as impacts on children or labor markets, allowing them to prepare, protect, and invest in their people.
The UN secretary-general also addressed the growing challenge of fragmentation in AI governance, driven by strained international trust and increasing technological rivalry. Without a common technical baseline, he warned, different regions could operate under incompatible policies and standards, raising costs, weakening safety measures, and deepening global divides. To counter this, Guterres pointed to initiatives like the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which will take place in Geneva in May, as a means for countries to align their technical baselines.
Finally, Guterres reiterated that
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Originally published on AllAfrica on 2/23/2026