In an era where misinformation and geopolitical tensions threaten to destabilize the foundations of international cooperation, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has delivered a historic plea from the General Assembly podium. Under the slogan "Science is Here," the head of the international organization emphasized that humanity can no longer afford to ignore scientific data, whether regarding the climate crisis or the unchecked development of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
This intervention comes at a critical juncture, as 2026 marks the second anniversary of the adoption of the "Pact for the Future." Guterres stressed that science must become the common language bridging the gap between nations, serving as a counterweight to populism and technological isolationism.
AI as a Global Public Good
A central point of the Secretary-General’s speech was the need for global governance of Artificial Intelligence. Guterres did not limit himself to general aspirations but proposed the creation of an international scientific body, modeled after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to assess the risks and benefits of AI in real-time.
"Artificial Intelligence cannot be a closed privilege of a few corporations or powerful states," he stated. The UN strategy focuses on preventing a new "digital apartheid," where the Global South remains a mere consumer of technology, deprived of the tools to solve local problems like drought or epidemics. The proposal for the "Global Digital Compact" seems to be gaining new momentum, aiming to ensure that data science serves the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Scientific Advisory Board and Data Policy
The UN has already upgraded the role of its Scientific Advisory Board, incorporating leading experts from biotechnology, quantum computing, and climatology. According to Guterres, evidence-based policy making is no longer an option but a survival imperative. In a world flooded with deepfakes and algorithmic bias, science offers the only objective point of reference.
- Enhancing transparency in the algorithms of Big Tech giants.
- Creating open databases for climate research.
- Funding educational programs for digital literacy in developing countries.
- Establishing ethical guidelines for the use of AI in weapons systems.
The Secretary-General warned that if technology continues to evolve without ethical and scientific oversight, social inequalities will widen to a point of no return. "Science has been warning us for decades about the climate. Let us not make the same mistake with AI," he emphasized, concluding his speech with a call for "humility before the data."
The Challenge of Implementation
Despite the ambitious declarations, the implementation of these proposals faces stiff resistance. Major powers are reluctant to cede sovereign rights to an international organization, while the private sector fears that strict regulation will stifle innovation. However, the UN is betting on the power of "scientific diplomacy." Through the Regional Information Centre (UNRIC), the organization seeks to convey this message to local communities, explaining that science is not a remote concept but the tool that will ensure the quality of life for future generations.
"Knowledge is power, but shared knowledge is peace," António Guterres.
In conclusion, the "Science is Here" initiative represents an effort to redefine the UN's role in the 21st century. From a crisis management organization, it is attempting to transform into a beacon of rationality and technological ethics, reminding leaders and citizens alike that the future is not something that happens to us, but something we design based on the truth of numbers and human dignity.
