Panel Discussion AI & Cybersecurity _ India AI Impact Summit

20 Feb 2026 17:00h - 18:00h

Session at a glance

Summary

This discussion centered on the launch and development of the Global Network of Centres for Exchange and Cooperation on AI Capacity Building, a UN-supported initiative aimed at democratizing AI access and reducing the global digital divide. The network emerged from recommendations by the UN Secretary General’s high-level advisory body on AI and was initiated through collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Kenya during the General Assembly.

S. Krishnan from India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT emphasized their comprehensive approach to AI education, announcing plans to teach AI across all university courses and to school children starting from third grade. Amit Shukla from India’s Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the global AI capacity divide, noting that only countries with AI capabilities can fully benefit from the technology, and announced that 14 countries have already nominated institutions to join the network.

The panel discussion revealed the network’s rapid growth and collaborative spirit. Dr. Abdurrahman Habib from Saudi Arabia shared impressive results from their Women Elevate program, which has trained 6,000 women from 86 countries in AI skills with an 89% completion rate. Professor Balaraman Ravindran from IIT Madras, representing India’s first center in the network, emphasized that AI literacy should extend beyond technical expertise to enable everyone to use AI effectively in their respective fields.

Seydina Moussa Ndiaye from Senegal, a former UN advisory body member, explained how the network addresses the gap between countries that understand AI trends and those that need capacity building support. The network has established a cooperation framework and is developing blueprints to help countries build their own centers. Looking toward 2030, participants envision the network creating meaningful global dialogue where all countries can contribute equally to AI discussions, ensuring no one is left behind in the AI revolution.

Keypoints

Major Discussion Points:

– AI Education and Training Initiatives: Multiple speakers emphasized comprehensive AI education programs, including India’s policy to teach AI from third grade through university level, and Saudi Arabia’s Women Elevate program that has trained over 6,000 women from 86 countries with an 89% completion rate.

– Global Network for AI Capacity Building: The central focus was on establishing and expanding the UN Global Network of Centres for Exchange and Cooperation on AI Capacity Building, which currently includes 14 countries (Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Guinea, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam).

– Bridging the Global Digital Divide: Speakers consistently addressed the need to ensure equitable access to AI benefits, particularly for Global South countries that face resource and access constraints, emphasizing that without collaborative efforts, AI could create unprecedented divides between nations.

– Institutional Innovation and Governance: Discussion of the need for new institutional frameworks to guide AI development, moving beyond private sector-led initiatives to create collaborative governance structures that enable data sharing, regional compute centers, and shared best practices.

– Meaningful Human-AI Coexistence: The conversation concluded with reflections on maintaining human identity, community, agency, and purpose in an increasingly AI-driven world, emphasizing the importance of ensuring technology serves humanity rather than the reverse.

Overall Purpose:

The discussion aimed to launch and promote the UN Global Network of Centres for Exchange and Cooperation on AI Capacity Building, showcasing how member countries are collaborating to democratize AI access, share expertise, and ensure no nation is left behind in the AI revolution. The session served to highlight successful capacity-building initiatives and encourage broader international participation in the network.

Overall Tone:

The discussion maintained a consistently optimistic and collaborative tone throughout. Speakers expressed enthusiasm and pride in their achievements while emphasizing partnership and mutual support. The tone was formal yet warm, with participants celebrating milestones and expressing genuine excitement about the network’s rapid growth. There was a sense of urgency about addressing global AI inequities, but this was balanced with confidence in the collaborative solutions being developed. The closing remarks became more philosophical and reflective, adding depth to the practical discussions that preceded them.

Speakers

Speakers from the provided list:

– S. Krishnan – Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and IT (India)

– Amit Shukla – Joint Secretary, Cyber Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs (India)

– Mehdi Snene – Senior Advisor to the UN Secretary General’s Tech Envoy

– Abdurrahman Habib – Representative from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, leading one of the UNESCO centers in Saudi Arabia

– Balaraman Ravindran – Professor at IIT Madras (India), member of the UN scientific panel

– Seydina Moussa Ndiaye – Former UN Secretary General high-level advisory body on AI member, representative from Senegal

– Fitsum Assamnew Andargie – Representative from Ethiopia, part of AFRD Labs network

– Vilas Dhar – President, Patrick J. McGowan Foundation

– Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard – Tech Ambassador from Denmark

– Eugenio Garcia – Ambassador for Technology and Innovation from the Government of Brazil

– Moderator – Session moderator (role/title not specified)

Additional speakers:

None – all speakers mentioned in the transcript are included in the provided speakers names list.

Full session report

This comprehensive discussion focused on the Global Network of Centres for Exchange and Cooperation on AI Capacity Building, a UN-supported initiative designed to democratise AI access and address the global digital divide. The network represents a member-state-led approach to international AI governance, with initial momentum from Saudi Arabia and Kenya’s collaborative call during the General Assembly.

Current Network Membership and Institutional Framework

The network has achieved significant early progress, with 14 countries nominating institutions: Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Guinea, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam. This diverse geographical representation demonstrates global appetite for collaborative AI capacity building.

Seydina Moussa Ndiaye, a former member of the UN high-level advisory body on AI, provided strategic context for the network’s development. The network was conceived alongside two other key initiatives: the UN AI scientific panel and the global AI dialogue. While the panel provides evidence-based analysis and the dialogue facilitates discussion, the network addresses a critical gap by ensuring all countries have sufficient AI understanding to participate meaningfully in global conversations.

The network has moved beyond conceptual discussions to practical implementation. A cooperation framework has been adopted during workshops, with significant progress made at gatherings including one in Dakar where six centres participated. The network has developed an “offer sheet” system where participating centres specify services they can provide, facilitating resource sharing and collaboration.

Demonstrated Success Stories and Practical Implementation

Dr. Abdurrahman Habib from Saudi Arabia shared remarkable results from their Women Elevate programme, which exemplifies successful large-scale AI capacity building. The programme aims to empower 25,000 women globally in AI over three years through online training culminating in Microsoft AI 900 certification. In just one year, they have achieved impressive results: 29,000 women registered, 6,000 completed training from 86 countries, with an extraordinary 89% completion rate for the 26-hour, five-to-six-week programme.

These statistics demonstrate that high-quality, inclusive AI education can be delivered effectively across diverse global contexts. The programme has been successfully adapted for public servants, with Kenya training over 300 women in their foreign affairs ministry, proving the programme’s versatility and practical applicability.

Dr. Habib noted that in the Global South, women often view technology and STEM fields as preferred career paths, creating natural enthusiasm for AI education that can be leveraged for capacity building initiatives.

National AI Education Strategies and Training Approaches

S. Krishnan from India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT outlined a comprehensive approach to AI education serving as a model for inclusive AI literacy. India’s multi-tiered strategy encompasses: working with industry bodies on retraining programmes for existing workers, ensuring AI is taught across all university courses regardless of discipline, and implementing policy to teach AI to school children starting from third grade.

Professor Balaraman Ravindran from IIT Madras provided candid insights into the educational challenges AI presents, admitting: “I don’t even know how to teach anymore.” This reveals the profound disruption AI is causing to traditional educational paradigms, as students increasingly embrace self-learning and resist conventional classroom settings. Ravindran emphasised that AI capacity building should focus not solely on creating researchers, but on enabling people to “use AI to do whatever you want to do better,” since every field will be influenced by this technology.

India’s international capacity building efforts include their ITEC programme, which has provided training to officials from 160 countries since 1964, with plans to expand AI-specific courses significantly.

Global AI Capacity Divide and International Cooperation

Amit Shukla from India’s Ministry of External Affairs highlighted a critical paradox: while AI enables human welfare and progress, “only countries with AI capabilities can reap actual AI benefits to their fullest potential.” Without collective action to ensure equitable sharing of AI benefits, this technology could create “the widest unfathomable divide among countries.”

Countries from the Global South face particular challenges including resource constraints and limited access to AI infrastructure, inhibiting their ability to harness AI for economic development. This reality necessitates collaborative international efforts to bridge the emerging AI capacity divide through initiatives like this network.

Institutional Innovation and Governance Framework

Vilas Dhar from the Patrick J. McGowan Foundation provided analysis of broader institutional challenges facing AI governance, asking: while AI technology innovation proceeds rapidly, “where is the innovation in the institutions that will guide what the future of AI looks like?” He noted that no country is so far ahead in institutional AI work that others cannot catch up, but neither is any country so far behind that they are out of the race entirely.

Dhar emphasised that effective AI governance requires moving beyond frameworks to develop “muscle memory” through practice and collaboration. The network provides mechanisms for countries to build practical experience in sharing data, collaborating on compute resources, and developing joint approaches to AI challenges that transcend national boundaries.

Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard, Denmark’s Tech Ambassador, noted that in the European Union, similar institutional development would typically take much longer, highlighting the network’s remarkable efficiency in moving from concept to implementation.

Future Vision and Development Goals

Dr. Fitsum Assamnew Andargie from Ethiopia, representing the AFRD Labs network, envisioned the network contributing to “distribution of capacity” encompassing both computational power and human expertise, ensuring “no one left behind” with people capable of conducting AI research and using AI to improve livelihoods.

Professor Ravindran offered an ambitious vision: the network should contribute to countries advancing their AI readiness so significantly that the UN would need to redesign its categorisation systems for AI preparedness, elevating all countries to the highest level rather than having them distributed across multiple readiness levels.

Dr. Habib projected exponential growth for the network, emphasising its primary value in creating a platform for sharing experiences and programmes that previously did not exist, contributing to meaningful global AI dialogue where all countries participate as equals.

Human-Centred AI Development and Meaningful Coexistence

Ambassador Meldgaard articulated a framework for “meaningful coexistence with technology” requiring four essential elements: identity (maintaining humanity in a technological world), community (strengthening human connections despite digitisation), agency (ensuring meaningful control over AI’s role in people’s lives), and purpose (collectively determining what we want from AI technology).

Her vivid metaphor crystallised concerns about current AI development: “I would love for the AI to empty the dishwasher whilst I write poetry and play with my kids. But right now, we’re in a trajectory where I am emptying the dishwasher whilst the AI is playing with my kids and writing poetry.” This observation challenges assumptions about AI’s beneficial development and underscores the importance of capacity building that includes critical thinking about AI’s role, not merely technical skills.

International Support and Commitments

The session demonstrated strong international commitment to the network’s success. Ambassador Eugenio Garcia from Brazil announced his country’s participation through two specific universities—the Federal University of Pernambuco and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul—emphasising that the network complements the AI track of the Global Digital Compact and strengthens multilateralism.

Next Steps and Strategic Implementation

The network is preparing for its next meeting in Riyadh before the July summit, with plans to continue expanding membership and programmes. Future developments include creating blueprints to help countries without existing centres establish their own AI capacity building institutions.

Conclusion

The discussion revealed remarkable consensus on the urgent need for global AI capacity building through international cooperation, comprehensive education, and human-centred approaches. The Global Network of Centres for Exchange and Cooperation on AI Capacity Building represents a collaborative approach to ensuring AI development serves humanity’s collective interests rather than exacerbating existing inequalities.

The network’s early achievements, demonstrated through concrete successes like the Women Elevate programme and rapid institutional development across 14 countries, provide evidence that ambitious global AI capacity building is practically achievable. With strong international support and clear next steps including the upcoming Riyadh meeting, the network is positioned to make significant contributions toward ensuring the AI revolution benefits all of humanity rather than creating unprecedented global divides.

Session transcript

S. Krishnan

Industry bodies, we are working on retraining. Through the higher education department, we are looking at making sure that AI is taught across all courses in all universities and all institutions so that everyone, irrespective of which branch they study, are aware of how AI can make a difference to them. And our school education department has announced as a matter of policy that AI would be taught to school children right from class three, from third grade. So in that sense, we are looking to make AI truly inclusive and train the next generation to adapt to AI and ensure that those who have already joined the work stream are also retrained for this purpose. I’m once again delighted that this event is taking place and it will generate more commitments to further strengthen this global network of institutions.

Thank you very much.

Moderator

Thank you, Mr. Krishnan, for these insights. delightful remarks, especially around democratizing access to AI resources as well as keeping humans at the center. Now I would like to call upon Sri Amit Shukla, Joint Secretary, the Cyber Diplomacy Division from the Ministry of External Affairs. Can we have a round of applause for Mr. Shukla, please?

Amit Shukla

Sri S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and IT, my dear friend, Professor Ravindran, Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Artificial intelligence has emerged today as an enabler for the welfare and progress of humanity. Whenever AI is deployed with purpose, it can catalyze economic growth and social empowerment. government for all. Yet, only countries with AI capabilities can reap actual AI benefits to their fullest potential. We must collectively address this anomaly and ensure that the benefits of AI is equitably shared. Else, this very revolutionary technology could only bring the widest unfathomable divide among countries. Countries, especially from the global south, face resources and access constraints. This inhibits their pursuit to harnessing AI for economic and development opportunities.

A collaborative international effort becomes highly relevant to bridge this emerging AI capacity divide. India, with this conviction, has been a strong proponent for international AI capacity building cooperation, especially for the global south. Our long -standing ITEC program is the testimony to this belief. Under the ITEC program, we have imparted training to thousands of officials from 160 countries since 1964. We have deployed our vast and rich network of institutions and training facilities for this purpose. Annually, around 10 ,000 fully funded in -person training opportunities programs are offered to nearly 400 courses at 100 eminent institutes in India. Some of these training courses are AI courses and we intend to expand this further. In this spirit, we stand with the initiatives of the United Nations and welcome the establishment of the Global Network of Centres for Exchange and Cooperation on Capacity Building.

The network would bring unique expertise and perspectives from different regions of the world. This diversity would only enrich the purpose of the network in its assessment of local AI capacity needs. The network must truly facilitate sharing of expertise, training use cases and developing infrastructure for countries. We have developed our expertise in successful, innovative AI technologies. . Our achievement on integration of DPI solutions and adoptions. into AI to leverage technology for social and economic progress could add value to the network. The AI capacity building models under India AI mission would be relevant for the network. I congratulate all the participating countries on launching of the framework for the network. As we stand today, we have 14 countries already nominating institutions.

These are Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Guinea, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam. It is a matter of satisfaction that IT Madras from India took the initial steps in this endeavor. Let today’s steps of the network build tomorrow’s bigger strides. Thank you.

Moderator

Sorry, could I make a quick announcement to have all the panelists and the speakers on the stage for a quick photo? Mr. Shukla? We will have a quick photo opportunity with all of the featured speakers for this session and we will proceed with the panel right after. Thank you for your patience. Thank you. S. Krishnan and Joint Secretary Shri Amit Shukla. We will now proceed with the panel discussion. Thank you. I would now like to invite Dr. Mehdi Snen, a Senior Advisor to the UN Secretary General’s Tech Envoy, to please introduce the panelists and moderate the panel. Thank you.

Mehdi Snene

He’s coming back. Thank you so much for your excellencies setting the discussion regarding the Global Network for Centers of Exchange and Cooperation on AI Capacity Building. It’s truly my honor today to welcome these distinguished panelists today on the panel to talk about the network, explain how it started, where we are heading to, and then what are the biggest plans we have for the network. I’m Mehdi from the UN, and I’m today happy to have Sayyidina Musa from the UN. the Center of Senegal, Habib Abdurrahman, Abdurrahman Habib from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Fitsun from Ethiopia, and Dr. Ravi from IIT Madras. And I’ll start with a kind of chronological order of how we have set up the network that started with an initial call from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Kenya during the General Assembly, calling for member states to join their effort to build a global network on AI capacity building that could truly leave no one behind, in particular in the needs of building the AI national strategy and building local and sovereign national AI capacities.

Dr. Abdurrahman, I’ll start with you as the chronology of the genesis of the network. I know that there is a lot of initiative coming. in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia related to the AI. You are leading one of the centers that has been already established with UNESCO. I see that there is a lot of UN agencies also collaborating and cooperating on building this kind of network beyond the actual one. I would like to start by asking, how do you see the cooperation? You are leading one of the UNESCO centers in Saudi Arabia. How do you see the cooperation? How do you see the cooperation and diesel cooperation among the different networks, but also among the different networks held by different international organizations today?

Abdurrahman Habib

Thank you very much. Thank you for having us. It’s a pleasure to be here and seeing our friends. I’m so excited and happy to see the dream is coming true. A couple of years ago, we started multiple meetings saying we want to work on capacity. We think capacity is a very important thing. We think capacity is a very important thing. building is one of the most critical parts, and at the same time, it needs a lot of investment, and we need to come together to build it together. Long story short, we sat with multiple countries. I’m very proud that we and Kenya, especially Philip, Ambassador Philip, he’s not here, but we managed to put together the first meeting in order for us to talk about it.

It was very challenging at the beginning. That wasn’t part of the plan, wasn’t part of an official gathering, but we believe that capacity building needs to be a network. We need to work together, not scattered, and we need to support each other in programs. In Saudi, one of the strengths that we have in the past couple of years is actually capacity building, and that’s why we tried to show what’s been done in Saudi, especially for the Global South, for all of us today on the table, I believe. All of us are very proud of the work that we’re doing. have big population, young population, that they are eager to learn. I’ll just give an example.

When we started Women Elevate program at our UNESCO center, we thought Women Elevate program will show them how eager those students are. So the goal of Women Elevate is to empower ladies globally on AI by offering a training program for 25 ,000 ladies as a goal for three years. Only in the past year, we managed to finish 6 ,000. The number is not important. What’s actually important is to see what is the success rate of those students in the program. This is an online program, fully online. We provide, of course, mentorship, and we provide the support, and it finishes with a certificate from Microsoft AI 900. This is 26 hours of training. That’s about five to six weeks.

More than… 89 % of the students are finishing the courses and getting the certificate. Now 6 ,000 of them have done the program and almost the majority of them got the certificate. We’re talking about more than 86 countries this program covered. And we believe such programs and many other programs globally will be able to make a dent and change the future for so many of our citizens. And especially for women and I mean it for Global South. In Global South we look at technology differently than the northern part. Many of our colleagues and sisters they look at IT and STEM overall as the go -to major and the go -to place to learn and equip in technology.

Therefore you will see that we have 29 thousand ladies registered in the program. Can you imagine that 29 ,000 ladies just since June want to continue and learn in this program, and we will be hopefully able to cater and finish this target and move to new targets as we go. Not only that, but also we twisted the program a bit by offering the program for public servants. Unfortunately, we are only offering it for public servant ladies. So, for example, in Kenya, Philip managed to train the majority of his team and the working groups, more than 300 ladies now already trained in the foreign affairs in Kenya. And that’s what we want to see in delegation and many other programs, and that’s what we are hoping to achieve in the next couple of years.

So I’m very excited and happy to see that dream came true, and we are in a network today where we will share programs, and we will hopefully share even more and more success. We will share this story as we go with our colleagues. Thank you.

Mehdi Snene

Dr. Abdurrahman, thank you so much. This is impressive numbers you’ve articulated there, and I’m happy to count on your support. This is, as I said, this is a member -state -led initiative, and it’s proposing centers, as our officials from India already expressed. One of the first centers to join is, thanks to our Professor Ravi, a colleague now from the scientific panel, is IIT Madras. So you took the initiative of initiating that, so probably you really see the outcome and the value of that. Firstly, as a professor at IIT Madras in India, and secondly, as a scientific, joining the UN scientific panel, what do you really expect from the network? How do you see the value of that network?

Balaraman Ravindran

Great. So first off, I mean, I’m super thrilled that we are here now, that we have actually gotten this. moving and the thing with for India so for us it’s we are a country in multiple parts we are like a curate some parts of the country which is a lot of talent and other parts of the country where we really have to start building our own networks for doing this kind of capacity building and so we know the difficulty and value of making sure that the entire population is skilled at least AI literate and have the capacity to contribute meaningfully both to an AI enriched economy and as well as the AI development going forward and I believe this is a conversation that cannot be done within the country alone so we really need to get everybody on board and as an academic what I’m looking at is just taking all my other hats off just putting my teacher hat on I don’t even know how to teach anymore.

So that’s the truth, right? The skilling, the learning, the mechanisms, the facilities that are available, and even the training that the children who are… I teach at a university. I shouldn’t call them children anymore, but anyway. The students are going through when they come to us, right? It’s very different. There’s a lot much more self -learning. Students are more comfortable doing things on their own, and in fact, trying to force -fit them into a classroom setting is always challenging, right? But then, what I’m also seeing is that everybody, everybody wants to know AI. Everybody wants to use AI. And I think that’s correct. Not because I want more people to do AI research. I’m not looking for more grad students or research assistants, but it is because every walk of life is going to get influenced by AI.

So when we talk about capacity building in AI… It is not just capacity to do AI better, but capacity to use AI to do whatever you want to do better. And that, I think, is a global imperative. Everybody should know how to use this technology so that as a planet, as humankind, we are able to jointly elevate our worth. And so, as Professor Bengio was saying in the morning, we want everybody at the table. Well, nobody is the dinner. That was a very provocative statement. It leaves a powerful image in your mind. But I think that’s important. And what we are doing here is great for that. And now, putting on my panelist hat. Do I have a couple of more minutes for the panelist hat?

Do I have a couple of more minutes for the panelist hat? Okay, I’ll take that as an yes. I was not ready for that question. I’m not supposed to answer the questions. Sure. So from the viewpoint of the scientific panel, so the whole idea behind the scientific panel is to provide evidence -driven, science -based approach to the state of AI, the impact of AI, and the potential progress of AI in the coming times. So in that sense, unless we have meaningful engagement with the global majority, with everyone in the globe, it’s going to be futile trying to say that the panel is going to talk for the world at large. And for us to have that conversation, we need to make sure there is a sufficient amount of… of expertise, sufficient capacity around the globe to engage in that conversation.

So I think that is important. I’m pretty sure the panel had a tough time finding enough representation from the global south. Thank you so much. That you can answer. We need to get that. Yeah, true.

Mehdi Snene

Thank you so much, Professor Ravi, and thanks for your kind words. So started with Saudi Arabia and then India. Saudi Arabia offered the first center, and then Senegal offered the second center, and to host the second meeting of the network that happened at the end of January in Dakar, and our host today is with us. So, Sadie and I, you are a former UN Secretary General, a high -level advisory body on AI member, and among the recommendations, there was this network of capacity building. I recognize some other HLAB members sitting there. I don’t think in the room. so they will be watching you closely. I’ll give you my microphone, no worries. I’ll give you mine.

So when you’ve done this recommendation, you have the best view on what you expect from the network. We’ll make it, because we are running out of time. But please give us more clarification on the initial area and then the current implementation and where we are heading to.

Seydina Moussa Ndiaye

Thank you, Mehdi. I’m very excited to be here. As you say, the network of AI Capacity Building Center was one of the recommendations of the H -Lab. And the two first ones were the panel and the global dialogue. And as you say, the idea of the panel, was to have evidence on opportunities and challenges on AI to give to policymakers. And the dialogue… was to bring all countries together to have this dialogue around AI. But as you know, when we have all countries, there is this gap between countries. There is some countries who understand what’s going on and others who are here but don’t understand all the trends, all the risks, all the challenges, all the opportunities of AI.

So that’s why the network of capacity building on AI capacity building was also proposed to give the opportunity to help countries to have more understanding on AI and to build their own ecosystem. And with the network, obviously, now… being a reality. I think that what we have done since then is to adopt our cooperation framework. We begin the work in India here with IIT Madras, and the cooperation framework is now adopted during the workshop in Dakar, where we had, I think it was six centers which adopted it. And we talked about what could be the way of doing things within the network. We worked on an offer sheet so that each network who came, each center, who came in the network can offer some services to the network.

And we are still working on stabilizing the office sheet. And the next step will be to have a blueprint because it’s important to help also countries which haven’t a center yet to build a center. So we will have a blueprint on how to build a center. I think that we asked Audet to do the first draft. And we worked on a couple of activities we can do. And one of the main project is to have a capacity building. And I think we will work on it with Abib and so on. And we try to have all the big projects. Multi -country projects. so we can work together and help each other. And the next step will be to have perhaps a third meeting.

Habi was talking about having it in Riyadh, I think. So perhaps it will be at Riyadh before the summit on July.

Mehdi Snene

Excellent. This is excellent news. Excellent news. So our centers get prepared to come to Riyadh. Exciting city. I’ve been there recently. Good. So Kingdom of Saudi Arabia started the initiative, India first center. Africa was strongly represented by Dakar as a second host. And then we got among the first cohort of centers that joined are Ethiopia. Dr. Fitzsimmons was joining us in IAT Madras and then in Dakar. With that, we’re going to wrap up the session. with a strong enthusiasm regarding the center. As a center who joined, not building the initiative, but joined it, you have for sure seen something within that initiative that attracts you. And I’m sorry we are running out of time, so maybe we have two minutes, but I want to listen from one of the first centers to join the cohort.

Why did you join the network?

Fitsum Assamnew Andargie

Thank you, Mehdi, and I’m very happy to be here and also very happy to be part of the network. So I’ll tell you how we got into this. So I’m part of a network of African labs supported by IDRC called AFRD Labs. And we saw that. Like, there is a need for collaboration across Africa. to develop our AI capacity. And we were introduced to this new program that we thought that would actually help us in actually creating the network. And in fact, joining the network would help us, want each other to develop our capacity and lean on our neighbors not to be left behind. For example, in Ethiopia, there is a huge investment in AI by the establishment of the AI Institute.

And it was responsible for developing policy, developing strategy, and also supporting capacity building. And from a university, like the university itself, started thinking about AI and started its own policy in the way like… education is delivered. And then an AI course was built, developed, and when we looked at this, we still are left behind. We need to become more competitive. And for that, we need the capacity building. So this network provides us opportunity. Not only that, we can also help others because we understand the context, the local context. The problems we faced when trying to establish our own centers. And our discussions actually helped us understand that, oh, okay, we are in it together, so we can help each other get there.

So that’s why, actually, we were very… We were very enthusiastic. And the government was very enthusiastic about saying, oh, okay, we should join this network. Thank you.

Mehdi Snene

Excellent. Thank you so much. Again, so we heard a lot from the investigators, principal investigators, the designers, the participants, all the enthusiastic centers about the network. Now, in a very short answer, I’ll get back to all of you. How do you see the network in the next five years? Meaning we have at the UN the 2030 SDG goal. In 30 seconds, if you can do it, how do you see the network in 2030 contributing to that? Or where do you see the network in 2030? Dr. Habib, please.

Abdurrahman Habib

Okay. Thanks, Mehdi. In 2030, I think that the dialogue is here. If the network. Work well. we will have a meaningful dialogue. It’s not only some countries who will lead the discussion, but all countries in the world, I think. I believe that the network will grow exponentially. We’re a small number now, and we already grew exponentially in the past couple of months. This will continue as a trajectory for quite some time. But what’s more important is that the platform is there now. So we can share experiences and share programs in a way that we didn’t have before. And by doing so, I believe that will also contribute to our beneficiaries, whomever they are, and we’ll receive more and more training and more capacity will be built in that program.

Thank you.

Fitsum Assamnew Andargie

Thank you. In five years, where I see the network is that it could have… distribution of capacity. When I say that it’s not only the compute power, but the human power as well. We will have no one left behind, which means you have people that can do research and generate new knowledge, and people that can use AI and develop their livelihoods. That’s where I see the effect of this is going to be for all these countries involved. Thank you.

Mehdi Snene

Dr. Ravi.

Balaraman Ravindran

has the categorization of countries as to how ready they are with regard to AI. So five years from now, I wish the network would have contributed to such an extent that the UN would have to redo the categorization. So that they have to take the topmost level and start splitting it into four as opposed to having four levels of AI readiness. So everybody is at the top level as we imagine it now. And then we’ll go on from there. Thank you so much, Ravi. The floor is yours, yours, Chair MC.

Moderator

Thanks for all the panelists and thanks for joining us for this short discussion. Thank you, panelists, for that insightful discussion. Before we proceed with the closing remarks, I’d like to remind the audience that we will soon have with us Sri A. Revan Thretty, the Honorable Chief Minister of Telangana, a state that’s emerged as one of the leaders in industrial innovation and technology -led governance. And he will be presenting a keynote address on AI and cybersecurity, Harnessing AI Power in the State’s Growth. Those who would like to stay back for that session, please be seated. Those who would like to leave after the ODIT session, please use this door. Thank you so much. Thank you. That was a really insightful panel which spoke about the needs of the Global South, capacity building for women and youth particularly.

And now moving on, we would like to invite Mr. Vilas Thar, President Patrick J. McGowan Foundation, for his keynote address. May I please request Mr. Thar to come on stage?

Vilas Dhar

Thank you so much and good afternoon, everyone. What an exciting conversation that wraps together so much of what we’ve heard over the summit. I want to acknowledge Your Excellencies, our friends here in the room, and I want to take this few minutes to share with you three ideas that directly connect to the network we’re building. The first is we’re in a time when innovation in technology seems like it’s moving so quickly. but I have to ask where is the innovation in the institutions that will guide what the future of AI looks like? And I think there is a matter of timing that’s quite interesting. In many ways it feels like no country is as far ahead on this institutional work as they might hope but neither is any country so far behind that they feel like they’re totally out of the race.

This network gives us an ability to build the institutions that will guide what the AI future looks like. And in that I think is the second opportunity. When we begin to think about what it will look like to build collaboration across countries, across sectors, across topics, I think it’s fair to say that we will not look to the private sector to define that conversation for us. It will require a different model. One that brings governments to play to set policy that allows us to collaborate with the sharing of data. With the idea that compute, even as much as we want to talk about it being sovereign, will have regional centers of excellence and that we need to build ways to collaborate around how we can collaborate.

And I think that’s why we share those resources. resources, that talent flows in this modern world, and that we need the institutions that will let us share our best practices. And third, and maybe most importantly, at a time when AI governance is the topic of the moment and everybody has a new framework, a framework that’s grounded in deep process and practice but still exists only as a framework, we need the institutions that will turn frameworks into practice, that’ll build the muscle memory of collaboration, that’ll actually tell us what it looks like to sit down and negotiate the complexity of ensuring common cyber defense, of sharing data, of building algorithms around agricultural practices that transcend geographies and local weather patterns, that allow us to abstract the underlying knowledge that drives these algorithmic designs and make sure that we can apply them in each place as needed.

That governance is a matter of muscle memory. It’s a matter of practice and it’s a matter of choice. Now, these are three observations that guide why we came to the original idea of creating this network to begin with. I want to acknowledge my colleagues here in the front row from the UN Secretary General’s high -level advisory body, a group that came together with scientific expertise and policy expertise from around the world to set forward a set of recommendations that didn’t just focus on capacity building, but also on the frameworks of global governance at scale. And I want to acknowledge the countries that led on the Global Digital Compact, the first new major multilateral institutional framework for how we might think about issues of interconnectedness in a digital world.

And I want to acknowledge the countries that came forward to really put this initiative together, starting first, of course, with our dear friends from Saudi Arabia and from Kenya, with the incredible work of India here and Senegal and the work that will continue. But I want to acknowledge that even when it often feels like this work happens in abstraction, that it happens in international agreements, in national coordination, at the heart of where this work happens is in the digital world. And I want to acknowledge the people, the scientists, the people that are involved in the civil society advocates, the private sector entrepreneurs who are building this at scale. And so let me conclude then on this point, that even as we come to the end of this incredible summit, as we’ve heard from so many, as we’ve heard both proclamations from the stage, and maybe more quietly, behind closed doors, the work that’s happening when people come together to ask a simple question, how can I help?

How can I be involved? That we ensure that we open the doors of transparency, that we allow for participatory mechanisms, that we ensure that we hold not just our values around what technology should look like, but what our society should look like as it enables these technologies. That we continue to enforce a basic adherence to questions like, are we ensuring diversity in participation? Are we ensuring that the next time we hold a conversation like this, we’ll see an equal number of men and women leading centers around the world on AI? That the students who are represented at institutions like this, show a diversity of thought. That we’re ensuring that we’re investing in the rights and norms and values and principles that should guide international collaboration.

And that the centers like the ones that are represented here today will be the vanguard of a global network that sits above and beyond where private sector innovation and frontier models sits, but rather innovates towards the kind of society that we all aspire to. One where these tools are used to enable our common purpose. One where India leads, but so too does Senegal and Kenya. So does Trinidad. So does Chad. So does the United States. And so does Saudi Arabia, a world where we come together to define what our common vision might look like when AI enables our very best. I want to thank you all. I want to thank the incredible center chairs that we had.

And I want to see us all come together in this work. Thank you.

Moderator

Thank you, Mr. Govan, for those powerful reflections, particularly emphasizing the need for diversity in participation. I’m now very excited to announce our final speaker, Her Excellency, Ms. Anne Melgaard, the tech ambassador from Denmark. But I also would like to make a short announcement that there will be a short intervention after this by the International Center for Global Innovation. Ambassador for Technology and Innovation from the Government of Brazil, Mr. Eugenio Garcia as well. so but please my honor to welcome miss Melgar

Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard

good afternoon everyone Vilas you’re such a hard act to follow I love this idea of Muslim memory let me congratulate the four gentlemen that was on the stage before I am so impressed and I’m almost a little scared at the scale of the progress that you have already created with this network in such a short amount of time in my home region in the European Union and in Europe it would take a little longer for us before we find the format and the framework and then we make it into London maybe in a few years would actually be able to do what you’ve been doing in such a short amount of time congratulations the global digital divide we’ve been speaking lengthy about it this last week it is still a huge challenge and to the global dissemination to a true democratization of this technology of a meaningful axis around AI when 34 countries are in the global digital divide we are able to do what you have been doing and we are able to do what you have been doing and we are able to do what you have been you have been doing and we are able to do what you have been doing and we are able to are the only ones that have the world’s compute, it becomes really, really challenging.

But what I think this network is doing, it is shining a light that goes beyond these traditional divides that we see in the infrastructure. It is around upskilling and reskilling. And I actually believe that we have more in common between the global north and the global south. And I think we can learn a lot more from each other when it comes to upskilling and reskilling. And that’s why this network is such an important and I think landmark piece for the AI puzzle to be solved. I want to end, I want to make this short, and I want to end on why I think this is important. A dear friend of mine, he has a framework for talking about meaningful coexistence with technology.

And it requires four things, four ingredients. First of all, identity. How to remain human in a technological world. It seems like a stupid, obvious question, right? But I think many of us are feeling the sense that I’m losing a little bit. that we need to be more inclusive. And I think that’s why I’m saying that we need to be more inclusive. me being a human being. My identity as an individual, as a Dane, as a woman, whatever your identity might be in a world where technology is taking over, how to make that persistent, that we have that sense of identity. That is part of being skilled to take the right decisions. The second one is around community.

In a time of increasing technology, we need more community, not less. This gathering could have been a Zoom meeting, but nevertheless, thousands of us travel from all over the world, spending time in here with too much air conditioning and out in traffic with too much traffic. Why? Because of the human connection. Because of the impromptu meeting, the inspiring speeches, but also the people you meet when you’re in the coffee line. Those who are inspiring, and that community is being built, and that’s why these AI summits work. That’s why the communities that we’re part of, they cannot be solely put together. They need to be put into a digital world. They need to present. Then there’s agency.

In a more agentech world, we need more agency, not less. I think many of the people that you meet, maybe your families, your communities, the citizens that you represent, if you’re a lawmaker and policymaker, the feel of agency, of actually having a say in how this is unfolding, is minimized. And this is another place where reskilling, skilling comes up, having the right tools to be part of that. And then finally, about purpose. How often do we ask ourselves, what is the purpose of this technology? There’s a sense that I would love for the AI to empty the dishwasher while I write poetry and I play with my kids. But right now, we’re in a trajectory where I am emptying the dishwasher while the AI is playing with my kids and writing poetry.

If we do not insist on having the questions around, what is the purpose of that technology? And if we do not skill our citizens, ourselves, in being able to ask, what do we collectively want? What do we want out of this technology? We’re going to get technology that we serve. the other way around. And so congratulations on this incredible network. I hope to be a stronger partner of it, but right now you are shining a light on necessary peace for a more meaningful coexistence with technology. Thank you.

Moderator

Thank you, Excellency, and it’s always a pleasure to see a woman in the room speaking on this subject. I’d now like to request Ambassador Garcia to quickly make his intervention. Thank you.

Eugenio Garcia

Thank you. I’ll be very brief since I was not in the program, but just to say that Brazil fully supports this global network of the United Nations on capacity on AI and capacity building. I think it’s very well known and remembered yesterday. President Lula from Brazil. He mentioned specifically in his statement that the role of tonight’s nations is key for an international governance of AI and we need to come to the defense of the multilateral system. It is important that we can we do this together so we’ll be working. We have two institutions, two universities from Brazil. They are already joining this network. One from the northeast of Brazil, Federal University of Pernambuco and also from the south in Brazil which the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.

So these two institutions are already collaborating with the network. Of course maybe in the future others could also join but just to say that this network will complement very well. the AI track of the Global Digital Compact, both the scientific panel and the global dialogue. And I think if we can strengthen multilateralism, I think that’s the way to go, and we can count on our support. Thank you so much.

Moderator

Thank you, Ambassador. In the interest of time, I’d just like to thank the speakers, the panelists, and the audience. I hope they enjoyed this insightful session, and we look forward to more news on this network. And thank you, everyone. We now move on to the next session. Thank you so much. Thank you, speakers. May I remind the audience that we now have with us Sri A. Raven Threaty, the Honorable Chief Minister of Telangana, for a session on Harnessing AI Power in the State’s Growth, a keynote address on AI and cybersecurity, we would encourage the audience to please stay back for the session. Thank you. those who choose to leave may please do so through the door on my left.

Thank you very much.

S. Krishnan

Speech speed

164 words per minute

Speech length

144 words

Speech time

52 seconds

Inclusive AI curriculum from primary to university level

Explanation

Krishnan outlines a national policy to embed AI education starting from early school grades and extending through all university courses, ensuring every student gains AI awareness regardless of their field of study.

Evidence

“And our school education department has announced as a matter of policy that AI would be taught to school children right from class three, from third grade” [2]. “Through the higher education department, we are looking at making sure that AI is taught across all courses in all universities and all institutions so that everyone, irrespective of which branch they study, are aware of how AI can make a difference to them” [3]. “So in that sense, we are looking to make AI truly inclusive and train the next generation to adapt to AI and ensure that those who have already joined the work stream are also retrained for this purpose” [4].

Major discussion point

National AI Education & Capacity Building Initiatives

Topics

Capacity development | Social and economic development

Amit Shukla

Speech speed

140 words per minute

Speech length

Future Vision & Impact of the Network (2030/5‑Year Outlook)

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Enabling environment for digital development

Mehdi Snene

Speech speed

145 words per minute

Speech length

Future Vision & Impact of the Network (2030/5‑Year Outlook)

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Monitoring and measurement

Abdurrahman Habib

Speech speed

152 words per minute

Speech length

Inclusivity, Diversity & Community in AI Capacity Building

Topics

Closing all digital divides | Capacity development

Balaraman Ravindran

Speech speed

145 words per minute

Speech length

Inclusivity, Diversity & Community in AI Capacity Building

Topics

Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society | Closing all digital divides

Seydina Moussa Ndiaye

Speech speed

95 words per minute

Speech length

407 words

Speech time

255 seconds

Adoption of a cooperation framework and blueprint for establishing new centers

Explanation

Ndiaye explains that a cooperation framework has been adopted and a blueprint is being prepared to help countries build AI capacity centers where none exist.

Evidence

“I think that what we have done since then is to adopt our cooperation framework” [69]. “And the next step will be to have a blueprint because it’s important to help also countries which haven’t a center yet to build a center” [70]. “So we will have a blueprint on how to build a center” [68].

Major discussion point

International Collaboration & Global Network for AI Capacity Building

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Enabling environment for digital development

Blueprint development and multi‑country projects to sustain network expansion

Explanation

Ndiaye highlights the plan for multi‑country projects and a concrete blueprint to guide the scaling of AI capacity‑building centers across regions.

Evidence

“Multi‑country projects” [97]. “And with the network, obviously, now… being a reality” [61]. “We begin the work in India here with IIT Madras, and the cooperation framework is now adopted during the workshop in Dakar” [71].

Major discussion point

Future Vision & Impact of the Network (2030/5‑Year Outlook)

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Capacity development

Fitsum Assamnew Andargie

Speech speed

101 words per minute

Speech length

365 words

Speech time

214 seconds

African labs (AFRDLabs) joining to pool regional expertise and avoid being left behind

Explanation

Andargie notes participation in AFRDLabs, a network of African laboratories, to share expertise and ensure the continent is not excluded from AI advances.

Evidence

“So I’m part of a network of African labs supported by IDRC called AFRD Labs” [79]. “Like, there is a need for collaboration across Africa” [80]. “We will have no one left behind, which means you have people that can do research and generate new knowledge, and people that can use AI and develop their livelihoods” [29].

Major discussion point

International Collaboration & Global Network for AI Capacity Building

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Closing all digital divides

Goal of distributing both compute and human power so no nation or individual is left behind

Explanation

Andargie stresses that capacity building must address both computational resources and human expertise to prevent any country or person from being excluded.

Evidence

“And for that, we need the capacity building” [37]. “We will have no one left behind, which means you have people that can do research and generate new knowledge, and people that can use AI and develop their livelihoods” [29]. “When I say that it’s not only the compute power, but the human power as well” [128].

Major discussion point

Future Vision & Impact of the Network (2030/5‑Year Outlook)

Topics

Capacity development | Closing all digital divides

Vilas Dhar

Speech speed

203 words per minute

Speech length

Inclusivity, Diversity & Community in AI Capacity Building

Topics

Closing all digital divides | Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society

Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard

Speech speed

195 words per minute

Speech length

828 words

Speech time

254 seconds

Four ingredients for meaningful coexistence with technology: identity, community, agency, purpose

Explanation

Meldgaard proposes that technology should be integrated with humanity through four pillars—identity, community, agency, and purpose—to ensure inclusive and purposeful AI development.

Evidence

“And it requires four things, four ingredients” [99]. “First of all, identity” [105]. “In a time of increasing technology, we need more community, not less” [100]. “In a more agentech world, we need more agency, not less” [110]. “How often do we ask ourselves, what is the purpose of this technology?” [106]. “And finally, about purpose” [108].

Major discussion point

Inclusivity, Diversity & Community in AI Capacity Building

Topics

Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society | Closing all digital divides

Eugenio Garcia

Speech speed

120 words per minute

Speech length

207 words

Speech time

102 seconds

Brazil’s commitment with two federal universities joining the network, reinforcing multilateralism

Explanation

Garcia announces Brazil’s support for the global AI capacity‑building network, citing participation from two federal universities and emphasizing multilateral cooperation.

Evidence

“We have two institutions, two universities from Brazil” [85]. “I’ll be very brief since I was not in the program, but just to say that Brazil fully supports this global network of the United Nations on capacity on AI and capacity building” [86]. “One from the northeast of Brazil, Federal University of Pernambuco and also from the south in Brazil which the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul” [87]. “And I think if we can strengthen multilateralism, I think that’s the way to go, and we can count on our support” [89].

Major discussion point

International Collaboration & Global Network for AI Capacity Building

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Enabling environment for digital development

Moderator

Speech speed

130 words per minute

Speech length

Monitoring and measurement

Topics

Monitoring and measurement | Capacity development

Agreements

Agreement points

Comprehensive AI education integration across all levels

Speakers

– S. Krishnan
– Balaraman Ravindran
– Abdurrahman Habib

Arguments

AI should be taught across all university courses and to school children from third grade to ensure inclusive AI literacy

Every walk of life will be influenced by AI, so capacity building should focus on using AI to do any job better, not just AI research

Women Elevate program successfully trained 6,000 women globally with 89% completion rate, demonstrating high demand for AI education

Summary

All speakers agree that AI education should be comprehensive, inclusive, and accessible to everyone regardless of their field or background, with evidence showing strong demand and success in such programs

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Capacity development | Social and economic development

Global cooperation and network approach to AI capacity building

Speakers

– Amit Shukla
– Abdurrahman Habib
– Seydina Moussa Ndiaye
– Mehdi Snene
– Eugenio Garcia

Arguments

The network aims to address the AI capacity divide and ensure equitable sharing of AI benefits globally

Saudi Arabia and Kenya initiated the network concept during the General Assembly to build global cooperation on AI capacity building

The network was recommended by the UN High-Level Advisory Body to help countries understand AI trends, risks, and opportunities

The Global Network for Centers of Exchange and Cooperation on AI Capacity Building was initiated by Saudi Arabia and Kenya during the General Assembly

Brazil supports the network with two universities already joining: Federal University of Pernambuco and Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Summary

Multiple speakers emphasize the critical need for international cooperation through the network to address AI capacity gaps and ensure equitable global AI development

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Capacity development | The enabling environment for digital development

Addressing global AI inequality and digital divides

Speakers

– Amit Shukla
– Fitsum Assamnew Andargie
– Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard
– Mehdi Snene

Arguments

The network aims to address the AI capacity divide and ensure equitable sharing of AI benefits globally

By 2030, the network should contribute to redistributing both compute power and human capacity globally

Denmark recognizes the network’s importance in addressing global digital divide beyond traditional infrastructure divides

The network aims to address the gap between countries that understand AI trends and those that need capacity building support

Summary

Speakers consistently recognize the urgent need to bridge AI capacity gaps between developed and developing nations to prevent further global inequality

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Closing all digital divides | Capacity development

Human-centered approach to AI development

Speakers

– Moderator
– Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard
– Vilas Dhar

Arguments

The session emphasizes democratizing access to AI resources while keeping humans at the center

Meaningful coexistence with AI technology requires maintaining human identity, community, agency, and purpose

The network should ensure diversity in participation, including equal gender representation in AI center leadership

Summary

Speakers agree that AI development must prioritize human values, maintain human agency, and ensure inclusive participation while democratizing access

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society | Capacity development

Capacity development | Information and communication technologies for development | The enabling environment for digital development

Unexpected consensus

Need for institutional innovation over technological innovation

Speakers

– Vilas Dhar
– Balaraman Ravindran

Arguments

Innovation in institutions that guide AI’s future is needed, not just technological innovation

Traditional classroom teaching methods need to adapt as students are more comfortable with self-learning in the AI era

Explanation

Unexpected consensus that the real challenge isn’t technological advancement but rather developing new institutional frameworks and teaching methods to govern and implement AI effectively

Topics

Artificial intelligence | The enabling environment for digital development | Capacity development

Practical implementation focus over theoretical frameworks

Speakers

– Vilas Dhar
– Seydina Moussa Ndiaye

Arguments

AI governance requires muscle memory, practice, and choice – turning frameworks into actual practice

A cooperation framework has been adopted with centers offering services through an offer sheet system

Explanation

Unexpected alignment on the need to move beyond theoretical AI governance frameworks to practical, operational systems that can be implemented and practiced

Topics

Artificial intelligence | The enabling environment for digital development | Capacity development

Gender equality as central to AI capacity building

Speakers

– Abdurrahman Habib
– Vilas Dhar
– Moderator

Arguments

Women Elevate program successfully trained 6,000 women globally with 89% completion rate, demonstrating high demand for AI education

The network should ensure diversity in participation, including equal gender representation in AI center leadership

The panel discussion addressed needs of the Global South, with particular focus on capacity building for women and youth

Explanation

Unexpected strong consensus across different speakers on prioritizing women’s participation in AI, going beyond general inclusion to specific programs and leadership representation

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Capacity development | Human rights and the ethical dimensions of the information society

Overall assessment

Summary

The discussion reveals remarkable consensus on the need for global AI capacity building through international cooperation, comprehensive education, and human-centered approaches. All speakers agree on addressing AI inequality, the importance of the network initiative, and the need for inclusive participation.

Consensus level

Very high level of consensus with no significant disagreements identified. The implications are positive for the network’s future, suggesting strong international support and shared vision for equitable AI development globally. This consensus provides a solid foundation for implementing the Global Network for Centers of Exchange and Cooperation on AI Capacity Building.

Differences

Different viewpoints

Approach to AI education delivery methods

Speakers

– Balaraman Ravindran
– S. Krishnan

Arguments

Traditional classroom teaching methods need to adapt as students are more comfortable with self-learning in the AI era

AI should be taught across all university courses and to school children from third grade to ensure inclusive AI literacy

Summary

While both support comprehensive AI education, Ravindran emphasizes adapting teaching methods away from traditional classrooms toward self-learning, while Krishnan focuses on systematic integration across all formal educational institutions and levels

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Capacity development | Social and economic development

Scope and focus of AI capacity building

Speakers

– Balaraman Ravindran
– Abdurrahman Habib

Arguments

Every walk of life will be influenced by AI, so capacity building should focus on using AI to do any job better, not just AI research

Women Elevate program successfully trained 6,000 women globally with 89% completion rate, demonstrating high demand for AI education

Summary

Ravindran advocates for broad-based AI literacy across all professions and activities, while Habib demonstrates success with targeted, specialized training programs for specific demographics

Topics

Artificial intelligence | Capacity development | Closing all digital divides

Unexpected differences

Timeline and pace expectations for institutional development

Speakers

– Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard
– Abdurrahman Habib

Arguments

Denmark recognizes the network’s importance in addressing global digital divide beyond traditional infrastructure divides

The network should contribute to meaningful global AI dialogue where all countries participate, not just some leading the discussion

Explanation

Topics

The enabling environment for digital development | Artificial intelligence | Capacity development

Overall assessment

Summary

The discussion shows remarkably high consensus on goals with minor disagreements on implementation approaches. Main areas of difference include educational delivery methods, scope of capacity building programs, and expectations for institutional development timelines

Disagreement level

Low level of disagreement with strong overall alignment on the network’s importance and objectives. Disagreements are primarily tactical rather than strategic, focusing on how to achieve shared goals rather than questioning the goals themselves. This high level of consensus suggests strong potential for successful collaboration and implementation of the global AI capacity building network

Partial agreements

Capacity development | Information and communication technologies for development | The enabling environment for digital development

Takeaways

Key takeaways

AI education must be democratized and made inclusive, starting from elementary school (grade 3) through university level across all disciplines, not just technical fields

The Global Network of Centers for Exchange and Cooperation on AI Capacity Building has successfully launched with 14 countries participating and a cooperation framework adopted

Capacity building should focus on enabling people to use AI to improve their existing work rather than just creating AI researchers

International cooperation is essential to bridge the AI capacity divide between Global North and South, with successful models like India’s ITEC program and Saudi Arabia’s Women Elevate program demonstrating effectiveness

AI governance requires institutional innovation and ‘muscle memory’ through practice, not just frameworks – turning policy into actionable collaboration

The network aims to ensure no country is left behind in AI development, with particular emphasis on empowering women and youth in the Global South

Meaningful coexistence with AI technology requires maintaining human identity, community, agency, and purpose while building technical capacity

Resolutions and action items

A third network meeting will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia before the July summit

Development of a blueprint to help countries without centers establish their own AI capacity building centers

Expansion of AI training courses under India’s ITEC program

Stabilization of the ‘offer sheet’ system where each center can offer services to the network

Implementation of multi-country collaborative projects for capacity building

Brazil’s commitment to participate through two universities: Federal University of Pernambuco and Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Continuation of the Women Elevate program targeting 25,000 women globally over three years

Unresolved issues

How to ensure equal gender representation in AI center leadership positions

Specific mechanisms for sharing compute resources and data across the network

Detailed implementation strategies for translating AI governance frameworks into practice

How to measure and track progress toward the 2030 goal of redistributing AI capacity globally

Funding mechanisms and sustainability models for the network’s long-term operations

Integration and coordination between different UN agency networks (UNESCO centers, this network, etc.)

Specific curriculum standards and certification processes for AI education across different countries

Suggested compromises

Recognition that different regions may need different approaches – the network should accommodate local contexts while maintaining global coordination

Balancing sovereign AI development with regional collaboration and resource sharing

Adapting traditional educational methods to accommodate students’ preference for self-learning while maintaining structured guidance

These concrete success metrics demonstrate that large-scale, inclusive AI education is not just theoretically possible but practically achievable. The high completion rates challenge assumptions about online learning effectiveness in diverse global contexts.

Impact

These numbers provided tangible evidence that the network’s ambitious goals are realistic, shifting the conversation from whether such initiatives can work to how they can be scaled and replicated across the network.

Overall assessment

Explanation

Meldgaard outlined four key ingredients (identity, community, agency, purpose) for meaningful coexistence with technology and questioned how to maintain human elements in an increasingly technological world

Disclaimer: This is not an official session record. DiploAI generates these resources from audiovisual recordings, and they are presented as-is, including potential errors. Due to logistical challenges, such as discrepancies in audio/video or transcripts, names may be misspelled. We strive for accuracy to the best of our ability.