An Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras professor is among 40 global experts selected for a new United Nations scientific panel on Artificial Intelligence (AI). UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres submitted the list of nominees to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. The panel will advise on AI’s impact and governance.
IIT Madras Professor Joins UN AI Panel
Professor Balaraman Ravindran from IIT Madras was nominated for the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. He heads several key departments at IIT Madras, including the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) and the Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI). Ravindran holds a PhD from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
The panel aims to strengthen multilateral solutions for emerging technologies. It will be the first global scientific body focused on AI. The panel will help bridge the AI knowledge gap. It will also assess AI’s impacts on economies and societies.
Panel Formation and Scope
The UN received over 2,600 applications for the panel. Guterres emphasized the need for shared understanding in AI development. The panel will provide an authoritative, unbiased reference point on AI. Its members have expertise in areas like machine learning, data governance, and human rights.
The nominated experts will serve for a three-year term. They will act in their personal capacity, independent of any government or company. The panel’s first report is expected before the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in July.
UN Special Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill highlighted the panel’s interdisciplinary approach. He noted the selection process considered expertise in AI applications. The panel includes 19 women and 21 men. Members come from countries across all regions.
Notable members include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa and US Professor Vipin Kumar. The selection involved input from the Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies, the International Telecommunication Union, and UNESCO.