// EQUALITY: DIGITALISATION AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Artificial intelligence is transforming economies, yet its benefits remain unevenly distributed. To ensure AI serves all of humanity, global cooperation on inclusion, capacity building and technical standards must underpin its governance Building an AI economy that works for all A rtificial intelligence is reshaping economies at remarkable speed, with some estimates placing the value of the cur- rent global AI market at $750 billion, exceeding the gross domestic product of most countries. While this is an impressive figure, history shows that market share does not always lead to shared benefits. And without thoughtful guidance and dialogue, the promise of AI risks bypassing many around the world who would otherwise bene- fit most. That is why AI governance, built on collaboration, shared prin- ciples and responsible stewardship, was a central theme of the International Telecommunication Union’s 2025 AI for Good Global Summit, which brought together 169 countries and over 10,000 par- ticipants. Despite different national and regional approaches, we heard clear opportunities to steer AI development in a positive direction by focusing on three key priorities: inclusion, capacity building and technical standards. 1. Inclusion must be at the heart of AI governance efforts. All countries and communities must have a voice – and the means – to participate in shaping our shared digital future. That begins with universal connectivity – and yet 2.6 billion people remain offline. Across the African continent, where the G20 summit and presi- dency are being hosted for the first time, just 38% of the population has internet access, and mobile broadband can cost up to 14 times more than in Europe. Infrastructure access also remains limited, with just 32 coun- tries hosting AI-ready data centres, while more than 150 – mainly in the Global South – have none. AI can only expand economic opportunities for all if every coun- try has a seat at the governance table – not just those with the most computing power or resources. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU secretary general
$ 750 bn value of current global AI market
64 // G20 SOUTH AFRICA: THE JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT 2025
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting