The pace of artificial intelligence development is outpacing the capabilities of existing regulatory systems, according to a preliminary report from an independent United Nations (UN) scientific panel on AI. This document is the first report from a new international expert body created to prepare a global dialogue on AI governance.
According to the panel, the complexity of tasks that modern models can handle is increasing every few months, making the traditional legislative cycle far too slow. Meanwhile, regulators typically begin crafting norms only after sufficient scientific evidence has accumulated, but by then, the technology has already moved ahead.
Experts emphasize that artificial intelligence offers significant benefits, including accelerating drug and vaccine development, researching antibiotic resistance, and enabling early diagnosis of diseases such as breast cancer. AI is also used in early warning systems for food insecurity.
At the same time, the report details emerging risks. These include the generation and spread of deepfakes, notably non-consensual sexualized content, as well as the use of AI to enhance cyberattacks and disseminate convincingly false information. It is also noted that, in certain cases, interacting with models may reinforce harmful user behavior.
The panel also warns about risks linked to the growing autonomy of AI systems, which makes their behavior harder to monitor and control. Infrastructure adds further pressure: large-scale construction of data centers for AI can strain energy grids and affect local communities.
According to the authors, the key issue lies in technology concentration. Core AI systems are being developed in the United States and China, while access is largely confined to developed countries. Many developing nations lack the necessary infrastructure and expertise.
In light of this, the report calls for stronger independent evaluation of AI systems, international cooperation, and the creation of shared safety and transparency standards. Without these measures, experts argue, AI development could deepen inequality, spread disinformation, threaten human rights, and transform the labor market without adequate adaptation mechanisms.
The work is scientific and analytical in nature and does not propose direct regulation. A more comprehensive report is expected to be published next year, with state-level discussions set to begin in Geneva on July 6th.
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