Maria Ressa, Rappler CEO and Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been named among 40 experts recommended to join the United Nations’ new Independent International Scientific Panel on AI.
The panel was set up to help governments understand how AI is changing societies and economies. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it will be the first global, independent scientific body focused on closing the AI knowledge gap.
Members will publish annual reports, thematic briefs, and updates to the UN General Assembly. Their role is to highlight opportunities, flag risks, and separate hype from reality.
Other notable names on the proposed list include Canadian AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio and Google DeepMind’s Joelle Barral. The selection came from an open call that drew nearly 2,700 applicants. Criteria included expertise, diversity, and representation from both developed and developing countries.
The 40 nominees represent 37 nations, covering fields like machine learning, data governance, public health, cybersecurity, childhood development, and human rights. Their work will feed into the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, where policymakers and researchers discuss how AI should be managed worldwide.
The panel’s findings are expected to help governments create policies with regard to AI, making sure it benefits communities everywhere.
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