Dr. Tuka Alhanai Joins UN AI Panel

Feb 16, 2026

67 min

Feb 16, 2026 22:31

UN General Assembly appoints Dr. Tuka Alhanai to Independent International Scientific Panel on AI

## UAE Celebrates Appointment

The United Nations General Assembly has appointed Dr. Tuka Alhanai, an Assistant Professor at New York University Abu Dhabi, to its newly formed Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence (AI). This appointment is a significant achievement for the UAE, highlighting its commitment to advancing AI technology.

## Recognized Expertise

Dr. Alhanai, known for her work at the intersection of human and computational intelligence, has received numerous awards, including the MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 MENA Award. She is one of two representatives from the Arab region on the 40-member panel.

## Panel's Mission

The panel, part of the Global Digital Compact adopted by the UN in 2024, aims to provide independent scientific assessments on AI's opportunities and risks. It seeks to make these assessments accessible globally, helping to bridge the AI knowledge gap.

## UAE's Commitment

Omran Sharaf, UAE's Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, emphasized the country's readiness to support the panel's work. Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab also expressed pride in Dr. Alhanai's appointment, reflecting the UAE's dedication to AI development.

## Future Prospects

Dr. Alhanai expressed her eagerness to collaborate with global experts on AI governance. Her appointment comes as the UAE experiences rapid growth in AI research and applications, aligning with its vision of using AI for sustainable development and human prosperity.

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