The United Nations has moved to appoint Ethiopian artificial intelligence expert Girmaw Abebe Tadesse to its newly created Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, positioning Ethiopia within the world’s first global scientific body dedicated exclusively to AI governance.
In a formal note circulated to the UN General Assembly on February 3, 2026, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, recommended a slate of 40 experts from across regions and disciplines to serve on the panel for a three-year term. Girmaw is the sole Ethiopian among the nominees and joins leading researchers and policy specialists from countries including Canada, France, Belgium, Mexico, Senegal, Egypt, and Finland—reflecting the UN’s emphasis on geographic balance and multidisciplinary expertise.
A New Pillar of Global AI Governance
The panel was established under General Assembly resolution 79/325 as part of the Global Digital Compact, adopted at the Summit of the Future. Its mandate is to deliver independent, evidence-based assessments on artificial intelligence—evaluating opportunities, systemic risks, and societal impacts—to inform global policy debates and strengthen international cooperation at a moment when AI is reshaping economies, labor markets, healthcare systems, and public services.
Unlike regulatory bodies, the panel’s role is advisory and scientific: synthesizing frontier research, identifying emerging risks, and translating complex technical developments into policy-relevant guidance accessible to governments and multilateral institutions.
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