Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of the Responsible AI Lab (RAIL), Project Lead for the AI for Sustainable Development (AI4SD) Project and a member of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Academic Advisory Body on Emerging Technologies, contributed to a global discussion on the digital future at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 event.
Held at UN headquarters and organised by the ITU and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Digital@UNGA WSIS+20 Edition served as a critical multi-stakeholder forum. It reviewed two decades of digital cooperation and shaped a shared vision for an inclusive digital future, directly informing the UN General Assembly’s WSIS+20 Overall Review.
The summit reinforced the enduring relevance of the WSIS framework, established in Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005), as the guiding structure for global digital cooperation. Discussions emphasised that technological advancements must remain anchored in human needs and inclusive development, a core principle that aligns with RAIL’s mission.
The event examined the profound impact of emerging technologies, digital governance, and digital public infrastructure, which are key areas of research and advocacy for RAIL. It also highlighted concrete action through initiatives like the Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition, which announced new commitments to bridge the digital divide and connect the world’s most remote and underserved communities.
Prof. Kponyo’s participation underscores RAIL’s active role in shaping the global responsible AI and digital governance agenda. Engaging with leaders from government, industry, civil society, and academia, this involvement ensures that perspectives on ethical, human-centric AI are integral to the dialogue determining our collective digital future.
The Responsible AI Lab (RAIL) remains committed to advancing research and policy for AI and digital technologies that are inclusive, sustainable, and focused on human development.