At UN, developing nations call for bigger say in shaping AI future
XLK•Developing nations urged a greater role in setting artificial intelligence rules at a UN summit, warning that poorly governed AI could deepen global inequality. Bangladesh’s foreign minister said 128 delegations addressed AI this year, up from five four years ago.
1. Calls for a role in AI rules
Developing nations called for greater influence over AI’s development and regulation, warning that standards shaped mainly by wealthy countries could reinforce economic imbalances. Democratic Republic of the Congo Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner said developing countries should not be reduced to users of technologies and rules designed elsewhere.
2. Governance and global action
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said 128 delegations addressed AI at the UN this year, compared with five four years ago. Leaders including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged coordinated global action, while Belize Prime Minister John Briceño warned that poorly governed AI could deepen inequality, expose critical systems, displace workers and leave developing countries dependent on outside technologies and rules.
3. Potential gains and risks
The World Bank said AI could enable developing countries to gain a century’s worth of development in a decade if they address power, connectivity and skills gaps. The International Monetary Fund said AI could boost Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy by about 4% over the next decade under the right circumstances.
