Prof. Jerry John Kponyo advances responsible AI discourse at ITU Emerging Technologies meeting in Geneva

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

Professor Jerry John Kponyo, Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of the Responsible AI Lab (RAIL) and lead of the Artificial Intelligence Thematic Group of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Academic Advisory Body, has contributed to high-level discussions on emerging technologies at an ITU meeting held in Geneva.

The gathering brought together representatives from ITU member countries, alongside experts from academia and policy institutions, to review the work of the Academic Advisory Body on emerging technologies. The sessions formed part of the ITU’s broader effort to shape global technology discourse and ensure that innovation delivers inclusive and sustainable benefits worldwide.

The ITU Academic Advisory Body functions as a strategic think tank, providing forward-looking policy briefs, research-based insights, and strategic analyses to strengthen the organisation’s foresight capabilities. Its mandate is to support international preparedness for fast-evolving technologies, including artificial intelligence, and to guide their development in ways that align with global development priorities.

During the sessions, Professor Kponyo addressed participants on emerging trends in artificial intelligence, offering expert analysis on the direction of global AI development and its implications for policy, governance, and society. His contributions highlighted the importance of grounding AI innovation in responsibility, inclusivity, and contextual relevance, particularly for countries in the Global South.

Professor Kponyo emphasised practical pathways for developing and deploying artificial intelligence systems that respond to real societal needs, rather than abstract technological ambitions. He underscored the need for AI frameworks that reflect diverse human experiences and socio-economic realities, noting that equitable outcomes require intentional design choices and inclusive governance structures.

Discussions at the meeting reinforced the view that the future of emerging technologies must be shaped collaboratively by governments, academia, industry, and civil society. Participants agreed that responsible innovation is critical to ensuring that advances in artificial intelligence and other digital technologies contribute meaningfully to human development and social progress.

Professor Kponyo’s participation underscored the growing role of African and Global South expertise in global technology governance conversations. Through his leadership within the ITU’s Academic Advisory Body and his work at the Responsible AI Lab, he continues to contribute to international efforts aimed at aligning technological innovation with ethical principles and sustainable development goals.