Indian Professor Selected for UN’s New AI Scientific Panel
The United Nations has taken a significant step toward global cooperation on artificial intelligence by announcing the formation of a new scientific panel dedicated to the technology. Among the 40 distinguished experts chosen from around the world is a professor from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), marking an important moment for India’s representation in international AI governance.
On February 5, UN Secretary-General António Guterres formally presented the list of experts to the UN General Assembly. The panel has been created to provide independent, science-based advice on artificial intelligence and its growing impact on societies, economies, and daily life. Each selected expert will serve a three-year term, bringing perspectives from a wide range of disciplines and regions.
Who Is Balamaraman Ravindran?
One of the notable names on the list is Balamaraman Ravindran, a professor at IIT Madras. He currently leads several key academic units at the institute, including the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI), the Wadhwani School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (WSAI), the Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RBCDSAI), and the Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI).
Ravindran’s academic credentials are impressive. He earned his PhD from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and completed his master’s degree at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. He is also an elected fellow of both the Association for the Advancement of AI (AAAI) and the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), reflecting his standing in the global research community.
His inclusion in the panel underscores India’s growing role in shaping the conversation around artificial intelligence and its responsible development.
A Panel Built for Global Impact
During a press conference held on Wednesday, Guterres described the formation of the panel as a pivotal move toward ensuring that artificial intelligence serves all of humanity. He emphasized that the 40 individuals selected come from every region of the world and represent a broad spectrum of expertise.
“I have just presented to the General Assembly the list of 40 distinguished individuals who will serve on the new independent international scientific panel on AI,” Guterres said. “This is a critical step in making sure that AI benefits everyone, not just a privileged few.”
The panel is a direct response to a mandate outlined in the Pact for the Future, an agreement adopted by member states aimed at strengthening multilateral approaches to emerging technologies. Guterres noted that the panel would be the first fully independent, global scientific body dedicated to understanding AI’s real-world effects and bridging knowledge gaps across nations.
He stressed that the world needs a shared understanding of artificial intelligence to create effective safeguards, foster innovation for the common good, and enhance collaboration. The panel, he added, will help separate facts from misinformation and provide a credible reference point at a time when reliable and unbiased knowledge about AI is more important than ever.
How the Experts Were Chosen
The selection process began with an open global call that attracted more than 2,600 applications. From this pool, Guterres proposed a list of 40 individuals with deep expertise in fields such as machine learning, data governance, public health, cybersecurity, child development, and human rights.
Panel members will serve in their personal capacity, meaning they will operate independently of any government, corporation, or institution. This independence is intended to ensure that the panel’s findings and recommendations remain objective and credible.
The first report from the panel is expected to be released in time for the global dialogue on AI governance scheduled for July. Guterres highlighted the urgency of the panel’s work, noting that in an era of geopolitical tension and intense technological competition, science and solidarity must serve as the foundation for practical cooperation.
Secretariat Leadership and Panel Composition
The panel’s secretariat will be coordinated by Amandeep Singh Gill, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Technology. Gill explained that candidates were shortlisted based on their exceptional expertise in artificial intelligence as well as in the application areas where AI’s impact is most strongly felt. He noted that an interdisciplinary approach was essential to the evaluation process.
Gill also highlighted the panel’s gender balance, pointing out that the group includes 19 women and 21 men, all of whom are globally recognized for their contributions to their respective fields.
International Representation
The 40-member panel features experts from a diverse array of countries, including Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Canada, Mexico, Egypt, Iran, South Korea, Finland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, Russia, Germany, Israel, Italy, and China.
Among the distinguished members is Maria Ressa, a Philippines-born journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, known for her work in defending press freedom and combating misinformation. The panel also includes Vipin Kumar, a professor from the United States.
The initial list of candidates was developed with input from the Office of the Envoy on Digital and Emerging Technologies, the International Telecommunication Union, and UNESCO. After a thorough review across the UN system, the final names were confirmed.
This new panel represents a coordinated effort to bring scientific rigor and global perspective to one of the most transformative technologies of our time. With experts from India and other nations working together, the initiative aims to ensure that AI develops in ways that are safe, equitable, and beneficial for people everywhere.
