South Korea is seeking international support for a proposed global AI hub to advance cooperation on technology and governance. The initiative was discussed during talks with Switzerland’s leadership.
Officials in Switzerland met with South Korea’s prime minister to strengthen bilateral ties and support the project. The programme is intended to promote collaboration on AI rules, education and innovation.
The government of South Korea has also engaged several UN agencies to support the initiative. Agreements outline cooperation to help establish the hub and expand global dialogue on AI development.
Leaders in South Korea say the country aims to contribute its strong information technology capabilities to the project. The initiative reflects broader efforts to position the nation as a key player in global AI policy and innovation.
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Digital technologies and AI are increasingly shaping economic development, governance and international cooperation. As these technologies expand rapidly, international organisations are working to ensure that innovation is accompanied by responsible governance, inclusive access and coordinated global policies.
Within the United Nations system, a range of initiatives aim to strengthen cooperation on digital transformation and the development of AI. These efforts address issues such as digital infrastructure, data governance, technological innovation and equitable participation in emerging digital ecosystems. International collaboration plays an essential role in ensuring that the benefits of digital technologies support sustainable development while reducing global inequalities in access to digital resources.
Several programmes across the United Nations system reflect these priorities, combining global governance initiatives with practical AI applications in areas such as development, humanitarian response and digital inclusion. The following sections examine selected initiatives that illustrate how AI and digital cooperation are being advanced across different areas of the UN system.
Global Digital Compact
The Global Digital Compact is a comprehensive international framework adopted by United Nations member states to guide global digital cooperation and enhance the governance of AI. Negotiated by the 193 member states and reflects broad consultations aimed at shaping a shared vision for a digital future that is open, inclusive, safe, and secure for all. The Compact is part of the Pact for the Future, adopted at the 2024 Summit of the Future in New York.
At its core, the Compact seeks to address persistent digital divides by promoting universal connectivity, affordable access and inclusive participation in the digital economy. Governments and stakeholders have committed to connecting all individuals, schools, and hospitals to the internet, increasing investment in digital public infrastructure, and ensuring that technologies are accessible in diverse languages and formats.
The Compact also emphasises human rights and the protection of fundamental freedoms in the digital space, calling for the strengthened legal and policy frameworks that uphold international law and protect users from harms such as misinformation and discrimination. It promotes an open, global, stable, and secure internet while supporting access to independent, fact-based information.
The key objective of the Compact is to enhance international cooperation on data governance and AI for the benefit of humanity. It includes commitments to develop interoperable national data governance frameworks, advance responsible and equitable approaches to AI governance, and establish mechanisms for global dialogue and scientific guidance on AI. These elements reflect the need for collaborative, multistakeholder governance that balances innovation with transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights.
Independent International Scientific Panel on AI
The Independent International Scientific Panel on AI is a mechanism called for within the Global Digital Compact to support evidence‑based policymaking in AI governance. Member states requested the establishment of a multi‑disciplinary panel under the United Nations to assess the opportunities, risks and societal impacts of AI, and to promote scientific understanding across geographic and sectoral divides.
The panel is intended to contribute robust, independent scientific analysis to global AI discussions, ensuring that policy decisions are grounded in research rather than short‑term market pressures or fragmented national approaches. Its mandate includes conducting comprehensive risk and impact assessments, developing common methodologies for evaluating AI systems, and advising on interoperable governance frameworks that respect human rights and international law.
By bringing together experts from diverse disciplines and regions, the panel aims to bridge the gap between scientific developments and policymaking. It is a key institutional mechanism for fostering inclusive AI governance, with balanced geographic representation to ensure that insights reflect global needs rather than narrow technological interests.
The panel also complements the broader Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which seeks to engage governments, international organisations, civil society and technical communities in ongoing discussions about normative approaches, standards, and principles for global AI governance.
The UN Digital Cooperation Portal
The UN Digital Cooperation Portal is a central platform designed to support the implementation of the Global Digital Compact by mapping global digital cooperation activities and facilitating coordination among diverse stakeholders. The portal invites governments, UN entities, civil society organisations, researchers, and private sector actors to voluntarily submit information on initiatives related to the Compact’s objectives.
Launched in December 2025, the portal aggregates initiatives across thematic areas, including digital inclusion, AI governance, data governance, digital infrastructure, and the protection of human rights online. By visualising how activities align with agreed international frameworks, the platform supports strategic collaboration, strengthens transparency and highlights opportunities for joint action across regions and sectors.
The portal generates interactive data visualisations that illustrate how digital cooperation initiatives are evolving at the national, regional and global levels. These tools help identify gaps and overlaps in current efforts, enabling stakeholders to coordinate more effectively in pursuit of shared objectives such as closing digital divides and advancing equitable digital development.
As a resource for governments, UN agencies and external partners, the portal also contributes to the preparatory process for the high‑level review of the Global Digital Compact scheduled for 2027, providing an evidence‑based foundation assessing progress and emerging policy priorities.
Closing the language gap in AI through local language accelerators
Language diversity remains one of the major challenges in global AI development. More than half of the world’s population speaks one of over seven thousand languages, yet most AI systems currently support only a small number of widely used global languages.
Around 1.2 billion people rely on low-resource languages that remain poorly represented in digital technologies. Limited language representation can restrict access to AI-powered services in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education and civic participation.
The initiative combines technological development with partnerships involving universities, research institutions and local language communities. The technologies involved include optical character recognition systems that digitise written texts, automatic speech recognition tools capable of processing spoken language and text-to-speech technologies that generate digital audio.
Using satellite imagery and AI to improve disaster response
Rapid damage assessment plays a critical role in humanitarian response following natural disasters. Traditional assessment methods often require manual analysis of satellite images and field inspections conducted by experts, a process that can take weeks.
Emergency response operations, however, require reliable information within the first seventy-two hours after a disaster to prioritise rescue operations and humanitarian assistance.
The SKAI platform, developed by the World Food ProgrammeInnovation Accelerator, uses AI-based computer vision to analyse satellite imagery and identify damaged buildings automatically. The system enables humanitarian organisations to assess destruction at the level of individual structures across large geographic areas.
Developed as an open-source project in collaboration with Google Research, the platform can generate prioritised damage assessments within approximately twenty-four hours. Since 2022, the system has analysed more than 3.9 million buildings and identified around 450,000 severely damaged or destroyed structures.
Expanding inclusive participation through the UN Women AI School
Increasing participation in AI development is another priority across the United Nations system. Women remain underrepresented in many AI-related fields, including machine learning engineering and data science.
The UN WomenAI School addresses this challenge by providing training programmes designed for policymakers, civil society organisations, UN staff, and young innovators. The initiative aims to strengthen AI literacy and encourage broader participation in shaping the future of digital technologies.
Participants follow structured training tracks combining technical education with discussions on AI governance, ethics, and social impact. Collaborative learning environments encourage participants to develop solutions tailored to the needs of their communities.
More than three thousand participants have taken part in the programme since its launch. A train-the-trainer (ToT) model enables graduates to support future training programmes and expand the initiative to additional regions.
Responsible AI in satellite technologies and earth observation
AI technologies are increasingly integrated into satellite systems and Earth observation platforms. These systems analyse large volumes of geospatial data and generate near-real-time insights about environmental conditions.
Applications include monitoring climate change, analysing natural disasters, and supporting environmental policy planning. Rapid technological progress in this field also raises governance challenges related to transparency and accountability.
Many AI models used in satellite analysis operate as black box systems whose internal decision-making processes are difficult to interpret. Limited transparency can create risks when such systems are used to inform critical policy decisions.
Data bias represents another concern. Training datasets often originate primarily from the Global North, which may lead to inaccurate interpretations of environmental conditions in other regions of the world.
The methodology examines multiple dimensions of national AI ecosystems, including infrastructure, research capacity, institutional readiness and regulatory frameworks. Rather than ranking countries, the assessment identifies strengths and areas requiring further development.
Since its introduction in 2022, the methodology has been implemented in more than seventy countries. More than seventeen thousand stakeholders have participated in consultations associated with the initiative.
Assessment results have contributed to the development of national AI strategies and policy frameworks in several regions. An updated version of the methodology is expected to be released in 2026.
Additionally, UNESCO promotes the ethical development and use of AI through its Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. The global framework sets out principles on transparency, accountability, fairness, and respect for human rights to guide national policies and international cooperation.
AI for Good and global capacity building
The International Telecommunication Union coordinates the AI for Good initiative, which focuses on applying AI technologies to global challenges while strengthening international cooperation in governance and standards.
The programme operates across multiple areas, including multistakeholder dialogue, technical standard development, governance support and capacity development activities.
More than four hundred AI-related standards have already been developed in areas such as multimedia technologies, energy efficiency and cybersecurity. Governance dialogues organised through the initiative have involved more than one hundred ministers and regulators.
Educational programmes linked to the initiative aim to expand digital skills among young people worldwide through robotics competitions, machine learning challenges and educational partnerships.
The AI for Good Global Summit 2026, set to take place from 7–10 July in Geneva, will convene governments, industry leaders and civil society to advance AI governance, promote responsible innovation, and highlight initiatives that foster inclusive and equitable digital development.
AI tools supporting refugee entrepreneurship
AI technologies are also being used to support the economic opportunities for displaced populations. The United Nations Refugee Agency has developed an AI-powered virtual assistant designed to help refugees and asylum seekers transform business ideas into structured business plans.
The platform guides users through financial planning, market analysis and the preparation of investment proposals. The development of the system involved collaboration with NGOs, governments, and entrepreneurial networks across Latin America.
The tool was initially implemented in Paraguay and was designed with input from refugee communities. Remote access allows users to engage with the platform regardless of geographical or institutional constraints.
More than 340 refugee entrepreneurs have used the platform since its launch, with women representing approximately sixty percent of participants. The model is designed to be scalable and could be implemented in additional regions.
Promoting responsible innovation in civilian AI for peace and security
The rapid expansion of AI technologies brings increasing security challenges, particularly due to the potential misuse of civilian AI systems in military, conflict-related, or high-risk contexts. Dual-use applications mean that tools designed for civilian purposes, such as data analysis or autonomous systems, could also be repurposed in ways that threaten international peace, stability or human safety.
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs works to foster responsible innovation practices, ensuring that the development and deployment of AI technologies consider their broader implications for global peace and security. Addressing these risks requires ongoing collaboration and dialogue among policymakers, researchers, industry stakeholders, and civil society, creating a shared framework for understanding and mitigating potential threats.
To support this, the programme organises a comprehensive set of initiatives, including thematic multistakeholder dialogues, academic workshops, public panels, private sector roundtables and in-person training sessions for graduate students. These activities aim not only to raise awareness of emerging security risks, but also to provide practical guidance and tools that promote safe, transparent and accountable AI practices in civilian applications worldwide.
UN 2.0 Communities of Practice
Knowledge sharing and collaboration are strengthened through UN 2.0 Communities of Practice, connecting partners across the United Nations system and beyond. The networks facilitate the exchange of expertise and approaches on digital transformation, data strategy, innovation, and strategic foresight.
Over 18,000 practitioners from more than 160 countries participate, enhancing the collective capacity to address complex AI and digital challenges. Thematic groups, including those focused on digital and data initiatives, support peer-to-peer engagement, professional development, and collaborative problem-solving. Participation allows stakeholders to contribute to a wider ecosystem of expertise and innovation, promoting inclusive digital governance and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.
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South Korea is pursuing a partnership with AI company Anthropic as part of a national strategy to strengthen technological capabilities. Officials are working toward a memorandum of understanding with the developer of the Claude AI system.
The initiative follows discussions between South Korea’s science minister and Anthropic’s chief executive, Dario Amodei, during an AI summit in New Delhi. Authorities are also preparing for the company’s planned office opening in the city in 2026.
Government leaders in South Korea have already expanded cooperation with OpenAI. Policymakers say the strategy aims to build ties with leading global AI developers while supporting domestic innovation.
Officials are also developing a homegrown AI foundation model with local companies. The programme forms part of a national plan to position the country among the world’s leading AI powers.
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Leaders from government, academia, and industry gathered to emphasise that sustainable AI must shape efficient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible systems. The discussion focused on embedding sustainability, ethics, and human-centred principles throughout the AI lifecycle by adopting a sustainable-by-design approach.
The workshop was built on Saudi Arabia’s expanding role in AI and digital transformation through the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) and the National Strategy for Data and AI (NSDAI). The efforts are supported by significant investments in cloud infrastructure and data centres under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programme. Participants highlighted that sustainable AI must become a core principle in the development of emerging digital infrastructure and AI-powered services.
Abdulrahman Habib, Director of the International Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), highlighted Saudi Arabia’s growing leadership in AI ethics and governance. With national AI Ethics Principles and a maturing regulatory landscape, the Kingdom is positioning itself as a global contributor to responsible AI dialogue, translating principles into operational governance systems rather than just policy statements.
Leona Verdadero of UNESCO highlighted two core concepts: Greening with AI, which uses AI to accelerate sustainability, and Greening of AI, which ensures systems are energy-efficient, ethical, and human-centred. She stressed that effective AI governance requires collaboration and industry leadership at every stage of development.
Per Ola Kristensson from the University of Cambridge urged action beyond rhetoric, stressing that true AI sustainability means developing technology to augment, not replace, human potential. Industry presentations reinforced that sustainable AI drives real-world progress. Companies like RECYCLEE optimise resource recovery, Remedium reduces environmental impacts in healthcare and infrastructure, and IDOM strengthens sustainability reporting through AI-enhanced design.
UNESCO supports Saudi Arabia’s drive for inclusive, ethical, and sustainable AI ecosystems, framing sustainable AI as critical in the global transition to green digital transformation.
Faisal Al Azib, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Saudi Arabia, stated: ‘As the Kingdom advances its digital transformation under Vision 2030, we have a responsibility to ensure that innovation advances hand in hand with sustainability and human dignity.’
Al Azib concluded: ‘Sustainable AI is central to building resilient, future-ready businesses. Through partnerships with UNESCO and our local ecosystem, we aim to equip companies with the governance tools to embed responsible, energy-efficient, and human-centred AI into their core strategies.’
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French President Emmanuel Macron told the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi that Europe would remain a safe space for AI innovation and investment. Speaking in New Delhi, he said the European Union would continue shaping global AI rules alongside partners such as India.
Macron pointed to the EU AI Act, adopted in 2024, as evidence that Europe can regulate emerging technologies and AI while encouraging growth. In New Delhi, he claims that oversight would not stifle innovation but ensure responsible development, but not much evidence to back it up.
The French leader said that France is doubling the number of AI scientists and engineers it trains, with startups creating tens of thousands of jobs. He added in New Delhi that Europe aims to combine competitiveness with strong guardrails.
Macron also highlighted child protection as a G7 priority, arguing in New Delhi that children must be shielded from AI driven digital abuse. Europe, he said, intends to protect society while remaining open to investment and cooperation with India.
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India will host the AI Impact Summit 2026 on 19–20 February at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marking the first global AI summit to be held in the Global South. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the event is positioned as a major international forum aimed at advancing inclusive and action-oriented AI cooperation.
Organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the summit seeks to build on previous global AI gatherings while shifting the focus from high-level political statements to measurable outcomes.
Officials say the objective is to ensure that AI supports social development, sustainable growth and broader access to technological opportunities, particularly for developing nations.
India AI Impact Summit 2026: 35,000+ Registrations so far, 100+ Countries, 500+ Startups to engage across 500 Sessions
The summit will be guided by three core principles known as the ‘Three Sutras’, namely People, Planet and Progress, and structured around seven thematic areas including human capital, inclusion, trusted AI, scientific collaboration and democratising AI resources.
These domains are intended to translate broad ambitions into concrete areas of multilateral action. A series of pre-summit initiatives, including global challenges focused on inclusive AI, women-led innovation and youth participation, will take place in the lead-up to the event.
Organisers have also issued a global call for proposals, inviting institutions to host in-person sessions aligned with the summit’s themes, reinforcing India’s effort to shape a broader international conversation on AI governance and impact.
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UN experts are intensifying efforts to shape a people-first approach to AI, warning that unchecked adoption could deepen inequality and disrupt labour markets. AI offers productivity gains, but benefits must outweigh social and economic risks, the organisation says.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly stressed that human oversight must remain central to AI decision-making. UN efforts now focus on ethical governance, drawing on the Global Digital Compact to align AI with human rights.
Education sits at the heart of the strategy. UNESCO has warned against prioritising technology investment over teachers, arguing that AI literacy should support, not replace, human development.
Labour impacts also feature prominently, with the International Labour Organization predicting widespread job transformation rather than inevitable net losses.
Access and rights remain key concerns. The UN has cautioned that AI dominance by a small group of technology firms could widen global divides, while calling for international cooperation to regulate harmful uses, protect dignity, and ensure the technology serves society as a whole.
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US companies are increasingly adopting Chinese AI models as part of their core technology stacks, raising questions about global leadership in AI. In the US, Pinterest has confirmed it is using Chinese-developed models to improve recommendations and shopping features.
In the US, executives point to open-source Chinese models such as DeepSeek and tools from Alibaba as faster, cheaper and easier to customise. US firms say these models can outperform proprietary alternatives at a fraction of the cost.
Adoption extends beyond Pinterest in the US, with Airbnb also relying on Chinese AI to power customer service tools. Data from Hugging Face shows Chinese models frequently rank among the most downloaded worldwide, including across US developers.
Researchers at Stanford University have found Chinese AI capabilities now match or exceed global peers. In the US, firms such as OpenAI and Meta remain focused on proprietary systems, leaving China to dominate open-source AI development.
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The global market for industrial robot installations has reached a record value of $16.7bn in 2025. The International Federation of Robotics expects further growth through technological change and labour pressures.
AI-driven autonomy is becoming central to robotics development, enabling machines to learn tasks and operate independently. Agentic AI combines analytical and generative models to improve decision-making in complex environments.
Robots are also becoming more versatile as IT and operational systems converge across factories and logistics. Humanoid robots are moving beyond prototypes, with reliability and efficiency now critical for industrial adoption.
Safety, cybersecurity and workforce acceptance remain key challenges for the sector. Industry leaders see robots as allies addressing labour shortages while governments expand skills and retraining programmes.
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India’s technology ministry plans to showcase more than 100 homegrown applications at an upcoming AI Impact Summit. The event aims to highlight locally developed tools across public services and industry.
Officials say the initiative supports domestic innovation while reducing reliance on foreign technology platforms. Priority areas include governance, healthcare, education and small business productivity.
The ministry intends to promote practical AI adoption rather than experimental research. Developers will demonstrate solutions already deployed or nearing commercial readiness.
The showcase reflects India’s broader strategy to position local firms within global AI supply chains. Indian policymakers view applied AI as central to economic growth.
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