The global community has taken a significant step toward shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) with the establishment of the United Nations AI Dialogue, an inclusive platform designed to ensure that the governance of AI reflects the priorities of all nations.
Committed to the Global Digital Compact and established by the UN General Assembly, the AI Dialogue provides, for the first time, a universal forum where governments, private sector actors, academia, the technical community, and civil society can collaboratively define how AI is governed worldwide. This initiative aims to ensure that the benefits of AI are equitably shared, while addressing its growing risks through collective action.
As emphasized by António Guterres, “The question is no longer whether AI will transform our world – it already is. The question is whether we will govern this transformation together – or let it govern us.”
The Dialogue will focus on key thematic areas shaped through ongoing global consultations, and it is scheduled for July 6 - 7, 2026, in Geneva. These include the societal, cultural, and economic implications of AI; bridging global AI divides through capacity-building and equitable access; promoting safe, secure, and interoperable AI systems; and ensuring the protection of human rights through transparency, accountability, and human oversight.
As part of the global consultation process, the Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA) would be submitting its contribution to the UN AI Dialogue, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that Africa's perspectives are reflected in the evolving global AI governance landscape.
By complementing existing initiatives, the AI Dialogue seeks to serve as the central global platform for cooperation on AI governance, ensuring that no country is left behind in shaping the technologies that will define the future.
