This AI for Good Impact Report examines the key role of AI in accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Analysis of each SDG includes current progress towards the targets and practical examples of the real-world impact of AI solutions. It provides an overview of AI trends, governance, and opportunities to support informed decision-making across sectors. Additionally, the report offers recommendations for policymakers, government officials, policymakers, NGOs, international development organizations (IDOs), and industry leaders to guide the adoption and scaling of safe, responsible and ethical AI initiatives.
This report explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance global disaster preparedness and response. It presents an overview of the activities of the ITU/WMO/UNEP Focus Group on AI for Natural Disaster Management (FG-AI4NDM), underscoring how AI can revolutionize the disaster management cycle, from early warning systems, disaster prediction to recovery, leveraging real-time data analysis and emerging technologies. The report is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of international standardization related to the use of AI in disaster risk reduction.
The first ever “AI Governance Day” subtitled “From Principles to Implementation” was held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 29 May 2024. Convened by the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the event brought together a kaleidoscope of participants from around the world. This included government leaders, policymakers, researchers, and technologists from both developed and developing countries. The event’s multistakeholder composition aligned with ITU’s mission to provide an inclusive, neutral, and globally representative platform for artificial intelligence (AI). The day was marked by vibrant discussions and collaborations aimed at transforming AI governance principles into actionable frameworks. In the area of AI, the transition from principles to actionable governance is a challenge. These principles, while vital, have remained at a high level, often too abstract in their application for direct application in the ever-evolving AI landscape.
Since 2017, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has been dedicated to establishing a platform and ecosystem for the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its AI for Good Platform and its AI for Good Global Summit. The 2024 edition of the AI for Good Global Summit took place on May 30th and 31st and was organized by ITU in collaboration with over 40 sister UN agencies and co-convened with the government of Switzerland.
The roundtable, “Harmonizing Global Collaborations in the AI Industry: A roundtable on the future of AI standardization, regulation and industry development”, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) at its AI for Good Global Summit on 30 May 2024 provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration among all stakeholders in artificial intelligence (AI). The discussions underscored the necessity of continuous collaboration to navigate the rapid advancements in AI and their wide-ranging implications for various economic sectors and regions of the world. Participants recognized the importance of adaptive and dynamic AI governance to the sustainable and inclusive growth of AI.
An analysis of the UN system’s institutional models, functions, and existing international normative frameworks applicable to AI governance. The world is undergoing a fundamental technological shift in the age of rapid digitalization and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. AI holds significant potential to be harnessed to support inclusivity, reduce inequalities, rescue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and bolster the operations of the United Nations (UN) system. However, harnessing the positive impacts of AI requires careful attention to ethical considerations, including safeguarding data privacy, mitigating biases, and ensuring transparent decision-making processes. It is therefore important to make the most of AI’s opportunities while addressing risks and harms.
The most recent edition of the “UN Activities on AI Report” represents a collaborative endeavor between the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and 46 United Nations agencies and bodies. This comprehensive report showcases 408 artificial intelligence (AI) cases and projects run by the UN system, encompassing all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiatives range from forecasting food crises and monitoring water productivity to mapping schools through satellite imagery and optimizing the performance of communication networks, among other applications. Additionally, previous editions of the report from the years 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018 are also available for reference.
The AI industry is driving a technological revolution, impacting the global economy and society. AI transforms healthcare with diagnoses, finance with analytics, retail with recommendations, and manufacturing with automation. It also enhances transportation safety and aids environmental conservation. However, experts caution about the widening digital divide and the perpetuation of biases. To tackle these issues, ITU’s AI for Good platform facilitates the sharing of AI applications and expertise worldwide. In February 2024, we issued two open calls simultaneously: a call for AI use cases, and a call for AI scholars.
This report provides an analysis of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Readiness study aimed at developing a framework for assessing AI Readiness which indicates the ability to reap the benefits of AI integration. By studying the actors and characteristics in different domains, a bottom-up approach is followed which allows us to find common patterns, metrics, and evaluation mechanisms for the integration of AI in these domains.
THE TIME IS NOW Two days of never before presented, state-of-the-art AI solutions and cutting edge knowledge, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal