Five Questions on the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance
Published July 2026
Artificial intelligence is reshaping societies at an extraordinary pace, making questions about its governance more urgent than ever. Following the United Nations Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance in Geneva, we spoke with Zach Lampell, Senior Legal Advisor and Coordinator for Digital Programs at the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), about the purpose of the Dialogue, the human rights challenges posed by AI, and why civil society has an essential role to play in shaping its future.
What was the purpose of the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance?
The UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance is the first United Nations-led global governance process dedicated to artificial intelligence. It was established following negotiations around the Global Digital Compact and the UN resolution that created both the Global Dialogue and the Scientific Panel on AI.
A central objective was to create a genuinely multi-stakeholder process. Rather than having governments meeting separately from everyone else, the Dialogue brought together governments, civil society, technology companies, journalists, and academia to discuss AI governance in the same room.
While there is still room to strengthen that approach, the Dialogue represents an important step toward creating a single UN-led forum where all stakeholders can help shape how artificial intelligence is governed.
Why should civil society care about AI governance?
AI governance is ultimately about protecting people’s rights and livelihoods.
The communities most affected by artificial intelligence are often the least represented in global governance discussions. Decisions made in Geneva, New York, or Silicon Valley have direct consequences for communities around the world, including people who may have little opportunity to participate in those conversations themselves.
Civil society exists to represent communities, protect and promote human rights, and hold governments accountable to their international legal obligations. That makes its participation in AI governance essential.
Without meaningful civil society engagement, governance risks being left largely to industry. While technology companies play a critical role in developing AI, their interests do not always align with the interests of communities or the protection of fundamental rights.
What are the biggest human rights risks associated with AI today?
AI is already affecting a wide range of human rights, particularly freedom of expression, freedom of opinion, freedom of association, and the right to privacy.
One of the most significant concerns is the way AI systems manipulate the information ecosystem. The rapid growth of AI-generated content makes it increasingly difficult for people to distinguish reliable information from fabricated content or to freely form their own opinions. AI can also create the appearance of widespread public support for ideas or initiatives that may not actually exist, further undermining trust in information.
Privacy presents another major challenge. AI enables mass surveillance at an unprecedented scale, making it more difficult for people to freely associate, assemble, or seek and impart information without fear of being monitored.
Beyond these systemic concerns, AI systems can produce discriminatory outcomes and have contributed to the rapid growth of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, disproportionately affecting women and children.
Because AI is becoming embedded throughout society, its impact extends across virtually every human right and will only continue to grow.
What stood out from the discussions in Geneva?
One of the most notable takeaways was the remarkable degree of agreement among global leaders about the kind of AI they want to see.
Across the Dialogue, a consistent vision emerged: AI should be human-centered, create value for humanity, promote democratic principles, and operate within the rule of law.
The challenge is that this vision does not yet reflect the AI systems that are widely deployed today. The Scientific Panel’s report documented serious harms, including manipulation of the information ecosystem, mass surveillance, and the proliferation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
The task now is to bridge the gap between the principles articulated by global leaders and the reality of today’s AI systems. Governments and technology companies can already take meaningful steps toward that goal, although progress is not yet happening as quickly as many in civil society would like.
What developments should organizations be watching over the next year?
The next Global Dialogue is expected to take place in New York, but discussions on AI governance will continue across a range of international, regional, and national processes.
Civil society organizations should watch for opportunities to engage in UN discussions during the intersessional period, while also following developments at forums such as the Internet Governance Forum and other international initiatives.
Equally important are developments closer to home. Countries around the world are developing national AI strategies, debating AI legislation, and introducing new regulatory frameworks, while regional organizations continue advancing their own approaches to AI governance.
For civil society, the priority is to engage wherever governance decisions will have the greatest impact on their communities. Achieving the shared vision of human-centered AI will require sustained collaboration among governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector to ensure that human rights, transparency, and safety are built into AI systems from the outset.
For additional context, read Zach Lampell’s full remarks at the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, where he outlines ICNL’s recommendations for human rights-based AI governance.
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