Innovation & Creativity

In recent years, the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and waste management has emerged as a promising frontier in sustainability research.
  • 7 May 2024
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In the global discussions on AI and digital health, the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng released the report on Digital Innovation, Technologies and the Right to Health.
  • 27 March 2024
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The International Telecommunication Union's AI for Good Innovation Factory is a competition that supports start-ups that are using AI to tackle sustainable development challenges.
  • 26 March 2024
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The 2024 World Economic Forum meeting in Davos event marked a significant milestone in the AI for Good movement, as Artificial Intelligence (AI) was top of mind and top of the programme.
  • 22 January 2024
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Canvas of the Future, the innovative AI-driven art contest by ITU’s AI for Good platform in collaboration with Shutterstock, is a unique opportunity aims to advance the frontier of creativity and technology by sparking global dialogue on how AI can advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
  • 20 December 2023
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In a dynamic convergence of minds at AI for Good, the 2023 tinyML Challenge Finale showed how collaborative innovation can produce concrete solutions to power-up positive change.
  • 13 December 2023
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In the challenging landscape of dementia care, anticipated to skyrocket to 55 million people worldwide, the demand for innovative and lifechanging solutions becomes increasingly urgent.  
  • 11 December 2023
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Today is the official launch of Canvas of the Future, a ground-breaking initiative by ITU's AI for Good in collaboration with Shutterstock.
  • 11 December 2023
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The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, reinforced the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions and climate action.
  • 7 December 2023
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Six months from now, innovators dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) will reconnect with investors and humanitarians to consider how the latest technologies can work for the good of everyone on the planet.
  • 1 December 2023
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As countries worldwide grapple with climate change, scientists and innovators are exploring novel ways to mitigate its impacts. Innovative approaches from start-ups using artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting, managing, and combating climate change will be highlighted at the upcoming COP28.
  • 30 November 2023
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As the world gears up for COP28, a critical reflection on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and environmental sustainability is timely and imperative.
  • 29 November 2023
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The prestigious Cannes Neuron Awards have announced their call for innovative AI solutions that are shaping the world for the better.
  • 20 November 2023
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In a world driven by AI advancements, the quest for innovation that can improve safety and security is now gaining significant momentum.
  • 12 October 2023
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Next month, AI for Good is heading to Dubai for one of the world’s largest tech events in the region.
  • 4 October 2023
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The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has partnered with Zindi to develop solutions to important global challenges through a series of data science competitions hosted by AI for Good.
  • 27 September 2023
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At the AI for Good Global Summit, the world leading solution from Ultrasound AI, emerged as the winner of the Innovation Factory start-up competition.
  • 6 July 2023
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The latest International Telecommunication Union AI For Good Innovation Factory is supporting start-ups that are using artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to solve sustainable development challenges.
  • 24 March 2023
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The 2023 edition of the AI for Good Global Summit will take place in Geneva, 6-7 July. Over 30 cutting-edge robots are gearing up to take part in the Robotics for Good exhibition, which will show the potential of autonomous robots to drive progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • 22 March 2023
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According to the World Bank, an estimated 1.4 billion adults worldwide lack access to financial services according to Findex Report of 2021.
  • 3 March 2023
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From February 9-11, ITU took part in the second edition of the World AI Cannes Festival (WAICF), a world-class conference that brought together more than 14,000 participants involved in Artificial Intelligence at the Palais des Festivals of Cannes.
  • 13 February 2023
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Exploratory. Imaginative. Innovative. Together, these three concepts define the work of world-leading artists using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create unique works of art. These AI artists have been invited to share their visions and perspectives with the United Nations’ community at AI for Good in the Artistic Intelligence Visionary Initiative (A.I.V.I.).
  • 16 December 2022
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Energy is at the center of human and economic development – it is what powers economies and sustains societies. People need energy to heat and cool homes, travel from one place to another, manufacture items we rely upon on a daily basis, and more. The inability to fulfill basic energy needs, in turn, could be a constraint to development.
  • 12 December 2022
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After a year-long quest to find the most promising AI for Good start-ups from across the globe, the Innovation Factory Grand Finale 2022 awarded the top entrepreneurs in a live event that brought together investors, innovators and the development community to advance AI solutions to help advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • 7 December 2022
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Would you adopt a robot as a care-giver for your loved ones? What about a robot social companion? How about an AI-powered robotic teacher?
  • 2 December 2022
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It’s common knowledge that recycling, reducing waste and buying sustainably sourced products are all ways to promote sustainability. But it’s less well-known that some of today’s latest technologies are being used for the same purpose, at scale.
  • 1 December 2022
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The latest ITU AI For Good Innovation Factory is supporting start-ups that are using artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to solve sustainable development challenges.
  • 25 November 2022
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The field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been around since the 1950s, when Alan Turing first posed the revolutionary question, “Can machines think?” in his paper Computing Machinery and Intelligence.
  • 25 November 2022
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Since 1990, the area of primary forest worldwide has decreased by over 80 million hectares through deforestation, forest degradation, and wildfire – that’s according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
  • 19 October 2022
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Supply chain and sustainability topics have dominated global business headlines for more than two years. The interconnectedness of climate change and supply chain disruptions highlights the complexity of supply chains, including the impact in realizing the 2030 vision of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
  • 13 October 2022
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It’s the most frequently identified challenge CEOs expect to face over the next two to three years. It’s more vexing than regulation, cyber risk, and even supply chain disruptions.
  • 4 October 2022
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At the largest AI event in Africa, AI for Good was present to build connections with AI innovators, change-makers at AI Expo Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa for this 2-day event.
  • 29 September 2022
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The new State of AI in Africa Report created by the AI Media Group from South Africa, offers an analytical insight into the growing Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector in Africa, a topic that has not been fully explored up until now.
  • 14 July 2022
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At the European Robotics Forum, the stars of the show were not the speakers or guests, but the incredible range of robots themselves.
  • 5 July 2022
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Earlier this month ITU’s AI For Good Innovation Factory showcased start-ups that are using artificial intelligence (AI) to decarbonize agriculture and forestry sectors. Brahm Earth was the winner from India with an extraordinary digital solution for helping farmers reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using AI products, development and services.
  • 30 June 2022
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Earlier this month, ITU’s AI for Good Innovation Factory focused on successful Swiss start-ups and their innovative solutions that have a sustainable and positive social impact.
  • 27 June 2022
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Mental health matters. According to the World Health Organization, (WHO) 1 in 8 people in the world live with some form of mental health disorder.
  • 22 June 2022
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For the past decade, the US city of Pittsburgh has been testing and adjusting new solutions for urban traffic management using artificial intelligence (AI).
  • 20 June 2022
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Together, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation have the incredible opportunity to create long-term improvements to lives on a global scale, especially young people who will inevitably acquire these innovations and create new ones.
  • 20 June 2022
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As robots move from pure imagination to rapid implementation in more and more facets of daily life, AI for Good is highlighting developments driving the future of robotic technologies.
  • 7 June 2022
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At the inaugural edition of the “Cannes Neurons Awards“ held at the World Artificial Intelligence Cannes Festival, ITU took part in the celebration of the world’s most innovative AI projects making a positive impact on society and the planet.
  • 3 May 2022
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One of the most pressing issues facing cities and urban spaces are the future impacts of climate change, and how to make critical decisions related to mitigation and response.
  • 20 April 2022
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ITU is ready to take part in the very first edition of the "Cannes Neurons Awards", a global spotlight event on the most innovative AI projects making a positive impact on society and the planet.
  • 8 April 2022
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at an increasingly rapid pace. New technological applications and systems are currently being used to simulate, extend, and expand human intelligence.
  • 25 February 2022
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Artificial intelligence (AI) offers potential benefits for cities such as greater efficiency but there are also risks and new challenges, from procurement to governance.
  • 18 February 2022
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Businesses cannot succeed in societies that are failing. The urgency of fulfilling the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 is a global rally for climate action underpinned by systemic reform, social justice, and technology to help put humans and stewardship at the center of designing a better world.
  • 14 February 2022
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8 February 2022 / Food, Innovation & Creativity
The next wave of technological progress to sustain the world’s fastgrowing global population will capitalize on artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve the precision and sustainability of farming techniques.
  • 8 February 2022
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Neural Network AI for Good
1 February 2022 / Innovation & Creativity
The UN has identified 17 goals for Sustainable Development. Looking at them shows the massive task we’re faced with. Climate action. Quality education. No poverty. Zero hunger. Complicating matters further is the global nature of our issues. We can’t tackle them alone, we’re in this together. 
  • 1 February 2022
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The effects of climate change and rapid urbanization around the world degrade the natural world, including wetlands and the wildlife that benefits from them. These factors also threaten the sustainable development of surrounding communities.
  • 20 December 2021
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The top teams competing in the ITU AI/ML in 5G Grand Challenge Finale, a global competition to spur and award machine learning innovations in 5G communication networks, have just been announced.
  • 15 December 2021
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After a year-long quest, AI for Good has announced the winner of the global startup pitching competition.
  • 10 December 2021
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The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recently connected with pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) expert Kai-Fu Lee, former president of Google China, CEO of Sinovation Ventures, and co-author of the forthcoming book “AI 2041: Ten visions for our future."
  • 15 September 2021
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The ITU Challenge on AI and Machine Learning in 5G welcomes you to join students and professionals from around the world in solving problems at top of mind for innovators working to ensure that communication networks capitalize on advances in AI and Machine Learning (ML).
  • 19 July 2021
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25 February 2021 / Ethics, Innovation & Creativity
In a digital world overloaded with content and short on resources, reaching and engaging new audiences has been a persistent challenge for creative industries. Some top media players have turned to artificial intelligence (AI) for a possible solution.
  • 25 February 2021
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“Free, fast, for all, the Journal aims to promote accessibility of research to academics and industry researchers across the world,” says the ITU Journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Ian F. Akyildiz.
  • 23 December 2020
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Ved P. Kafle and Abu Hena Al Muktadir of Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) received the recognition of first prize at ITU Kaleidoscope 2020 for their paper proposing the use of machine learning techniques to support edge-cloud resources in serving Internet of Things (IoT) applications in need of low latency.9
  • 18 December 2020
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Greyparrot, a start-up which uses computer vision for waste management, has been voted the winner of the Innovation Factory Grand Finale held as part of the year-round AI for Good Summit 2020.
  • 24 November 2020
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Technology has drastically transformed the world we live in and the way we lead our daily lives throughout history.
  • 10 November 2020
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What do we need to build a better and more equal world for everyone on this planet? And how can artificial intelligence (AI) help us get there faster?
  • 6 October 2020
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Transformed in 2020 into all-online showcase of action-oriented AI projects and interactive expert talks, the AI for Good Global Summit will celebrate the culmination of its 2020 activities next week during the much-anticipated ‘Breakthrough Days’ to run from 21 to 30 September.
  • 17 September 2020
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ITU News caught up with Chaesub Lee, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, to learn more about the latest ITU standards projects addressing AI and Machine Learning and the value of the AI for Good Global Summit.
  • 6 July 2020
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Datasets relevant to sustainable development, expertise in AI and humanitarian action, and ‘AI for Good’ projects with ambitions to achieve global impact – these are the three key pillars of the Global Initiative on AI and Data Commons.
  • 24 June 2020
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Artificial intelligence (AI) has great potential to help us solve humanity’s biggest challenges. From climate change to clean energy to affordable healthcare and global pandemic response, the potential is there.
  • 24 June 2020
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*Today, ITU marks World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD). This year’s theme, “Connect 2030: ICTs for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” focuses on the five strategic goals of the Connect 2030 Agenda: growth, inclusiveness, sustainability, innovation and partnership.
  • 17 May 2020
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Datasets relevant to sustainable development, expertise in AI and humanitarian action, and ‘AI for Good’ projects with ambitions to achieve global impact – these are the three key pillars of the Global Initiative on AI and Data Commons.
  • 23 April 2020
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It is becoming clearer to the world that we can only achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 if the innovative voices of those in Africa, who are most affected by the challenges, are involved.
  • 27 February 2020
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Ten years remain to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Leaders in AI and humanitarian action will convene at the 2020 AI for Good Global Summit with strong intent to ensure that ‘AI for Good’ solutions achieve a scale matching that of the ambitions captured by the SDGs.
  • 11 February 2020
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In Game Two of the historic 2016 Go match between Lee Sedol and DeepMind’s AlphaGo, the AlphaGo machine made a move that no human ever would and won.
  • 24 October 2019
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Very few topics have captured the imagination of the public and promised to transform humanity more than artificial intelligence.
  • 27 September 2019
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*The article below is adapted from remarks delivered in New York this week at the “Advancing the global goals with artificial intelligence” event, which was part of the SDG Action Zone, held during the High-level week of the UN General Assembly, to be “a space to break out and engage partners for transformative SDG action in new and innovative ways.”
  • 26 September 2019
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Last week’s 3rd annual AI for Good Global Summit once again showcased the growing number of Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects with promise to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • 7 June 2019
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In the past 20 years or so, extreme poverty has fallen by some 50% globally. But when people are surveyed and asked to guess the decline in poverty rates, only around 1% of people get it right.
  • 29 May 2019
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The 3rd annual AI for Good Global Summit officially kicked off today with a range of inspiring messages, important discussions and examples of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in action.
  • 28 May 2019
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovations have been causing quite a stir in the field of arts and culture lately. They have been creating movies, paintings, music, poetry — and much more.
  • 23 May 2019
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • 22 May 2019
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Just over three years ago, XPRIZE launched the USD 5 million IBM Watson AI XPRIZE with the mission of accelerating the AI for Good movement.
  • 21 May 2019
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ITU News asked Chaesub Lee, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau about the top use cases of AI now — and in the coming years.
  • 20 May 2019
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Artificial intelligence (AI) will transform our lives. The question often posed is: will it be for better or for worse?
  • 16 May 2019
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29 April 2019 / Innovation & Creativity
As we know, the iMac came out in 1998. Apple’s slogan at the time — “think different” — represented both the company’s cornerstone message and their rallying cry as it rapidly innovated, finding ways to disrupt traditional industries.
  • 29 April 2019
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The potential value from artificial intelligence (AI) is enormous: some $16 trillion by 2030, according to a PwC study. But what are the costs of AI when not done properly — and what are some of the risks?
  • 17 April 2019
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At their core, ‘AI for Social Good’ projects use artificial intelligence (AI) hardware and software technologies to positively impact the well-being of people, animals or the planet – and they span most, if not all, of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • 29 March 2019
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken giant leaps forward in recent years, inspiring growing confidence in AI’s ability to assist in solving some of humanity’s greatest challenges.
  • 19 March 2019
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23 January 2019 / Innovation & Creativity
Academia play an important role in the research and development of telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICTs). As such, ITU is committed to strengthening the innovative roles of academic members in the work of the Union.
  • 23 January 2019
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Ahead of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 (PP-18) – the top policy-making body of the International Telecommunication Union, taking place from 29 October to 16 November in Dubai – ITU News is highlighting some important and emerging areas of ITU’s work. The following is an ITU Plenipotentiary Backgrounder, the original can be found on the PP-18 website here.
  • 17 October 2018
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ITU Telecom World 2018, taking place this week in Durban, South Africa, brings together government officials, regulators, private company representatives and experts to discuss ways forward for smart digital development.
  • 14 September 2018
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28 August 2018 / Innovation & Creativity
When you think about the potential of emerging technologies to improve people’s lives around the world, video games might not be the first things that come to mind. Yet, virtual games could play an important role in training Artificial Intelligence (AI) to have real-world positive impact.
  • 28 August 2018
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“Whenever we view video, take photographs, see digital displays in places like the Great Wall, Buckingham Palace, Shibuya or Times Square, we are benefiting from technologies based on the results of ITU-T Study Group 16’s work,” says Huawei’s Noah Luo, Chairman of the ITU standardization expert group for multimedia, ITU-T Study Group 16 (SG16).
  • 24 July 2018
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There is incredible potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help the world achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)s. But how successful these efforts will be will depend on how regulators and policymakers address questions of governance.
  • 24 July 2018
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Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are rapidly changing the information and communication technology (ICT) industry.
  • 18 July 2018
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The following was adapted from Brahima Sanou’s opening remarks at the Global Symposium for Regulators 2018 in Geneva on 10 July 2018.
  • 12 July 2018
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As momentum to build new ‘AI for Good’ projects emerges from last week’s AI for Good Global Summit, experts and leaders are recognizing the need to share resources to help such projects achieve significant scale.
  • 25 May 2018
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Two key characteristics of artificial intelligence (AI) will help us address the challenges we face, says Celine Herweijer, Partner, Innovation and Sustainability, at PwC UK.
  • 22 May 2018
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At this week’s AI for Good Global Summit, artificial intelligence (AI) experts, ethicists, academics, technologists, United Nations representatives, and youth gathered to discuss how AI can help support educational initiatives and improve the lives of young people worldwide.
  • 17 May 2018
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Dozens of top artificial intelligence (AI) experts from industry, academia, government and civil society are meeting this week for the AI for Good Global Summit at the ITU headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • 16 May 2018
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Today, young people are in pole position to steer the best possible future of the development of artificial intelligence (AI).
  • 11 May 2018
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How will Artificial Intelligence (AI) impact industries and economies? How can governments and companies prepare for the 4th Industrial Revolution? ITU News recently spoke with renowned futurist Stephen Ibaraki to discuss the top trends shaping AI and ITU’s upcoming AI for Good Global Summit. Below are excerpts of the conversation.
  • 10 May 2018
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In January 2016, the United Nations brought into effect a list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals that, if achieved, would improve life in a way that is sustainable for the coming generations.
  • 2 May 2018
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ITU News spoke to Chaesub Lee, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, to discuss the motivations behind the AI for Good series and how AI will come to influence ITU’s work.
  • 1 May 2018
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ITU has just launched an AI Repository where anyone working in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) can contribute key information about how to leverage AI to help solve humanity’s greatest challenges.
  • 25 April 2018
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22 April 2018 / Innovation & Creativity
The Global Good Fund invents technology to address the most difficult challenges faced by the world’s poorest populations.
  • 22 April 2018
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The 4th Industrial Revolution continues to demonstrate what I call exponential “A Triple C”:
  • 22 March 2018
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The 2nd AI for Good Global Summit at ITU Headquarters in Geneva, 15-17 May 2018, will take action to ensure that Artificial Intelligence (AI) accelerates progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
  • 8 February 2018
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26 January 2018 / Data, Innovation & Creativity
Every January, big technology trends become more central to key discussions as the world’s top business and political leaders gather at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting  in Davos, Switzerland.
  • 26 January 2018
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8 January 2018 / Innovation & Creativity
If tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and MIT physicist Max Tegmark are to be believed, artificial intelligence (AI) is less a scientific fiction than an (almost) technological fact.
  • 8 January 2018
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Technology is developing at an exponential pace that can be difficult to follow.
  • 8 December 2017
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17 October 2017 / Innovation & Creativity
Starting from September this year, secondary and tertiary education – and even primary school curricula – in mainland China are expected to include studies related to artificial intelligence (AI) and coding.
  • 17 October 2017
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Thirteen-year-old software developer and self-described ‘algorithm-ist’ Tanmay Bakshi is at the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-17) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to promote his message about the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve lives.
  • 11 October 2017
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