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New digital frontiers – from artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies to brain-machine interfaces and cooperative robotics – are rapidly reshaping the possibilities for humanity’s future. This evolving relationship between frontier technologies and telecommunications will take center stage at the next ITU Kaleidoscope academic conference, held from 7 to 9 July 2026, hosted by the AI for Good Global Summit 2026. Under the theme “AI and frontier technologies for good,” Kaleidoscope 2026 will convene global leaders from academia, industry, and government to explore how emerging technologies can be developed and applied responsibly to address complex societal challenges. The programme will feature selected academic paper presentations, keynote speeches, and special sessions across key tracks, including intelligent and resilient network infrastructures, applications and services for sustainable development, and the social, economic, environmental, and policy dimensions of AI and frontier technologies. By addressing the central question – can frontier technology research drive global good? – the conference aims to generate actionable insights, foster new partnerships, and help shape future policy and research agendas. A dedicated Swiss exhibit will complement the programme, showcasing cutting-edge research and initiatives and reinforcing Switzerland’s role as a hub for technological excellence and international collaboration.
This lively and interactive discussion brings together diverse perspectives from across the quantum ecosystem to explore how advances in quantum science can translate into tangible impact. Emphasis will be placed on collaboration across disciplines and sectors, linking emerging technological capabilities with real-world applications and the educational pathways needed to equip the next generation to engage with these developments and contribute to the evolving global technology landscape.
Foresight-Driven AI Skills Intelligence for Curriculum Modernisation: Early Insights from the SKILLBRIDGE Observatory
This Kaleidoscope special session will showcase the AI for the Global Majority initiative, jointly led by the Geneva Graduate Institute and Microsoft in partnership with the ITU, convening four research teams working at the intersection of inclusive, responsible, and context-sensitive AI.
Through a series of short presentations followed by a moderated discussion, the session will highlight practical, field-based approaches across diverse sectors and regions. Topics will include inclusive speech recognition for low-resource and multilingual contexts in Ghana, consumer protection and regulatory challenges in India’s AI-driven fintech sector, governance frameworks for public health AI systems, and cooperative models of AI development in Argentina. Together, these contributions offer complementary perspectives on how AI can better reflect linguistic diversity, protect vulnerable users, strengthen local capacity, and promote equitable, community-oriented innovation, providing concrete insights for advancing more inclusive AI ecosystems globally.
Best paper awards and young author recognition
Venkatesen Vijay MaureeHead – Strategic Tech and Academia Initiatives Division, TSB, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)- Alessia MagliarditiITU Journal and ITU-T Academia Coordinator, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- Seizo OnoeDirector of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB), International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
