- Summit sees launch of International AI Standards Exchange Database to help innovators access global norms and scale responsibly
GENEVA
As the AI for Good Global Summit wraps up in Geneva on Friday, Frederic Werner of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said the initiative, launched in 2017, has matured from promise and hype into real-world impact, driving solutions in health, accessibility, governance, and youth empowerment.
When AI for Good was created in 2017, it was very much based around "the hope, the fear of a promise, and the hype of AI," Werner, the head of strategic engagement at the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, said. "Central to its mission was always, how can we use AI to help solve the world's most pressing challenges?"
From AI-powered voice diagnostics that can detect blood sugar levels to brain-computer interfaces enabling locked-in patients to speak using AI-generated replicas of their own voices, the summit spotlighted a wave of life-changing innovations. "These are life-changing technologies," he said, while also raising critical concerns: "If you can know how much sugar is in my blood, what else can you tell with my voice? Am I telling the truth right now? You might not know. So that raises all types of ethical questions."
Werner emphasized the importance of brain-computer interface technologies not only for persons with disabilities but also for broader well-being. "A lot of these non-invasive brain-computer interface technologies can tell how stressed you are and how tired you are. It can also be like a bit of a coach that could help you get through your life," he said.
For these technologies to scale ethically and effectively, international standards are essential.
AI-related standards
"None of that works without standards," he said, and added that ITU has 400 standards that are published or in development. To address this need, the ITU officially launched the International AI Standards Exchange Database during the summit. Developed with partners including ISO/IEC, and other global standardization bodies, the platform brings together a wide range of AI-related standards in one centralized, user-friendly portal.
Werner said the goal is to support startups and innovators who often struggle to locate relevant standards scattered across various sources. The database makes it easier for them to access existing frameworks that can guide development in areas like autonomous mobility, healthcare, and robotics -- while also serving as a foundation for shaping future standards, he added.
Global AI literacy gap
He also stressed the need to close the global AI literacy gap. "Whether you're in a developed country or a developing country, it's a huge, huge concern," he said. In response, the ITU launched the AI Skills Coalition with over 50 partners and 70+ online courses in 80 languages. Pop star and tech advocate Will.i.am helped draw attention to the issue, Werner said.
"He was very well placed to really be a beacon and put a spotlight on the urgency of AI skills," he added.
Werner shared an analogy from Will.i.am during the summit that resonated with many. "What if it was optimized for your goals, to help you learn, to help you train… so kind of like an AI-powered GPS for life," he quoted the artist, contrasting it with AI's current focus on engagement and attention.
Among the practical innovations showcased was a $10,000 AI-powered walking stick, designed to serve as a scalable alternative to seeing eye dogs. "A seeing eye dog is excellent, but it actually costs about ... $400,000 to train," he said, noting that "with a $10,000 device, you basically have an AI-powered seeing eye dog."
Youth were also at the heart of the summit, as kids from 22 countries participated in a disaster response competition in which they were trying to figure out a better way to work on big global challenges using AI and also several other workshops.
Governing AI
Looking ahead, Werner said AI is moving too fast for any one entity to govern alone. "If (a) government did it alone, it would never work. If the UN did it alone, (it would) never work. If industry did it alone, not good. We need civil society. We need NGOs. We need young people," he said. "The goal of a summit is really bringing all of these people together… and hopefully it triggers a lot of collaborations."
According to Werner, over 10,000 people participated in person at the summit, which took place between July 8 and 11. Meanwhile, a similar number of people followed it online.
Hosted by the ITU in collaboration with the Swiss government and over 40 UN agencies, the four-day summit has been held at the Palexpo convention center, with an aim to drive concrete solutions using AI to tackle global challenges, including health, climate change, education, and inclusive development.
