Secretary-General António Guterres told the inaugural meeting of a new independent group of experts on Artificial Intelligence convened by the UN that they have a huge responsibility to help shape how it is used "for the benefit of humanity".
"Individually, you come from diverse regions and disciplines, bringing outstanding expertise in AI and related fields. Collectively, you represent something the world has never seen before," The UN chief told scientists on Tuesday at the first meeting of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI.
The 40 experts aim to help close "the AI knowledge gap" and assess the real impact the frontier technology will have across economies and societies so that countries can act with the same "clarity" on a level playing field.
No-one can go it alone
The experts will provide scientific assessments independent of any government, company or institution - including the United Nations.
"AI is advancing at lightning speed... no country, no company, and no field of research can see the full picture alone," he added that "the world urgently needs a shared, global understanding of artificial intelligence; grounded not in ideology, but in science."
Stakes could not be higher
AI will shape peace and security, human rights and sustainable development for decades to come.
Warning of the potential for misunderstanding around AI, the UN chief said: "I have seen how quickly fear can take hold when facts are missing or distorted - how trust breaks down and division deepens."
At a time when "geopolitical tensions are rising and conflicts are raging," the need for shared understanding and "safe and responsible AI could not be greater."
'Race against time'
As AI develops rapidly Mr Guterres told scientists the panel is also "in a race against time."
Addressing concerns that AI is moving too fast, he said that "never in the future will we move as slow as we are moving now. We are indeed in a high level of acceleration."
Drawing on progress made in another UN initiative, the High-Level Advisory Body on AI, which confronts AI policy-oriented issues, the Secretary-General emphasised that the new scientist panel does not "start from zero".
"I can think of no more important assignment for our world today."
Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa is one of the 40 experts on the panel, watch our recent interview with her about the AI age below:
