Anticipatory Action and Innovation

Meeting the demand for a more future-oriented United Nations that is prepared for emerging challenges.

UN New York

The Anticipatory Action and Innovation research pillar offers solutions that help the UN become a more future-oriented organization, prepared for emerging challenges and capable of innovating to meet them. This work involves guidance in the use of predictive analytics, identifying new trends that may affect the work of the multilateral system and offering innovative solutions based on adaptation, mitigation and resilience.

The pillar also explores the ethics, policy and global governance of Artificial Intelligence – advancing proposals to support an open, free, secure and human-centred digital future that works for all. Driving this work is a commitment to ensuring that the benefits of the digital age are not captured by a few at the expense of the public interest.

Highlights

Blog Post

Ending the War in Gaza Requires a Regional Framework. The UN Can Help Build It

To move from crisis response to lasting peace in Gaza, the UN can help shape the regional framework needed to sustain any deal.

07 Oct 2025

Blog Post

How a Special Envoy for Future Generations Could Help Rescue UN80 from Itself

To turn crisis into opportunity, the UN can lean on its envoy for future generations to push reforms beyond short-term fixes.

04 Oct 2025

Recent Publications

Working Paper

Does the United Nations need agents?

Testing the role of AI agent generated personas in humanitarian action.

21 May 2025

Report

Predictive Technologies in Conflict Prevention: Practical and Policy Considerations for the Multilateral System

Adoption strategies that mitigate challenges related to the uptake of predictive technologies.

03 Jan 2024

Brief

Elevating the Environment in the Multilateral System

Enabling the UN to play a more meaningful role in a global transition towards a more sustainable relationship with nature.

10 Nov 2023

Brief

A Global Architecture for Artificial Intelligence

Consolidating key questions surrounding global AI governance.

17 Oct 2023

Projects

Project

AI for Good

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for sustainable development

17 Apr 2025

Project

Supporting the Secretary-General's Scientific Advisory Board

Fostering active conversations and bridging the gap between the global scientific community and UN leadership.

17 Apr 2025

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Disinformation and peace building in sub-Saharan Africa

Exploring the security implications of AI-altered information environments.
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Events

Workshop

AI agents in humanitarian action: exploring new frontiers

Examining the potential role of AI agents in humanitarian, peacekeeping and development contexts.

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Event

Room for optimism: A precondition for success in challenging times

This rapid-fire roundtable is a platform to energize participants to take the first next steps towards better global governance.

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Event

AI and decision-making in global governance

Exploring AI's role in public decision-making, with a focus on its impact on global humanitarian, development and peace efforts.

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Event

Unlocking cooperation: AI for all

Exploring the implications of AI for the multilateral system.

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