By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Artificial
intelligence is transforming the global economy at unprecedented speed, with
the current AI market estimated at more than USD 750 billion. But according to
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General Doreen
Bogdan-Martin, the rapid expansion of AI risks leaving many countries and
communities behind unless guided by inclusive, collaborative governance
frameworks.
Speaking
following the 2025 AI for Good Global Summit, which gathered representatives
from 169 countries and over 10,000 participants, Bogdan-Martin emphasized that
AI’s economic promise must be matched by efforts to ensure equitable access,
capacity development and shared technical standards. She underlined that
without coordinated global action, AI could deepen existing digital divides
rather than narrow them.
Bogdan-Martin
identified inclusion as a central priority, noting that 2.6 billion people
remain offline and large gaps persist in connectivity, affordability and
infrastructure. Across Africa, where the G20 presidency is being hosted for the
first time, only 38 percent of the population has internet access, and few
countries have AI-ready data centres. She stressed that meaningful
participation in AI governance requires universal connectivity and
representation from all regions, not just those with advanced computing
capabilities.
The
ITU chief also highlighted the need to strengthen capacity across countries,
especially in the public sector where AI-driven decisions shape essential
services. She said that training, education and skills development are critical
to enabling people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to participate in –
and benefit from – the full AI and data value chain.
Technical
standards were identified as the third foundational pillar needed to turn
policy commitments into practical safeguards. Bogdan-Martin said that
international standards are essential for addressing risks such as bias,
environmental impact and disinformation, while also promoting interoperability
and opening opportunities for companies of all sizes. She pointed to the newly
launched AI Standards Exchange, which compiles 700 standards and publications
into one global reference tool.
Bogdan-Martin
outlined the ITU’s ongoing work across these areas, including its role as a
knowledge partner to the G20 Digital Economy Working Group, its AI Governance
Dialogue platform, and its AI Skills Coalition, which supports emerging
economies in building AI talent pipelines. She noted that ITU continues to
collaborate with international standards bodies and industry partners to
establish sustainable, trustworthy AI systems.
Calling
on G20 members to demonstrate leadership, Bogdan-Martin urged countries to
invest in closing the digital divide, engage in inclusive governance
initiatives, contribute expertise to global standards development and renew
their commitment to inclusive digital transformation ahead of the 20-year
review of the World Summit on the Information Society.
She
reiterated that sustainable economic growth in the era of AI depends on
ensuring that technological progress benefits all societies, not only the most
resourced.
