A University of Pretoria professor will be helping the world make sense of artificial intelligence as one of 40 experts appointed by the UN on its new global panel.
Pretoria, South Africa (12 March 2026) – Professor Vukosi Marivate has been appointed to the United Nations’ newly formed Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence – the first global scientific body dedicated entirely to understanding and guiding the future of AI.
The panel, created by the UN General Assembly in February 2026, brings together 40 leading experts from around the world. They were selected from more than 2600 applicants across 140 countries and represent a wide range of expertise, including AI technology, ethics, policy, infrastructure and safety.
Just as we have international bodies to look at climate change or health, the UN knows that AI is changing the world so quickly, that we need the world’s best scientists to help navigate the path ahead.
“I’m honoured to have been selected to serve on this panel,” Prof Marivate said, as per the University of Pretoria (UP). “I look forward to continuing to share experiences and perspectives from across the African continent, and to learning from the rich insights and expertise of my fellow panellists.”
Professor Marivate is the Director of the African Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at UP and holds the ABSA-UP Chair of Data Science. He also co-founded Lelapa AI, a startup developing AI tools built by Africans for Africans, and is part of the Masakhane Research Foundation, which creates AI language models for African languages.
His commitment to making sure technology ‘speaks our languages’ is what makes us especially proud!
The new UN panel was created as the world grapples with how to manage and govern AI as it rapidly changes industries, education systems and labour markets. It will work to flag emerging risks and identify opportunities.
“The broader significance of the panel extends beyond governance structures. AI is changing the skills required by labour markets worldwide. For countries facing high youth unemployment and pressing socio-economic challenges, the development of STEM skills and digital literacy is central to future opportunity. By producing policy-relevant scientific assessments, the panel will support UN member states in making informed decisions about education, workforce development and digital infrastructure.” UP shares.
The panel’s findings will feed directly into the UN’s Global Dialogue on AI Governance, with the first report due in Geneva in July 2026.
“For Africa, participation at this level is critical. The panel’s composition includes experts from all five UN regions and reflects diverse levels of technological development. Prof Marivate’s presence ensures that African perspectives, languages and developmental priorities are part of the global evidence base informing AI governance.” UP adds.
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