UN STI Forum opens with call for global south leadership in AI design

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

A member of the United Nations Independent Scientific AI Panel, Prof Rita Orji has delivered the opening keynote at the 11th United Nations Science, Technology and Innovation Forum for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum) held at UN Headquarters in New York, calling for a shift in how artificial intelligence systems are designed and deployed globally.

Speaking under the theme “Designing AI for the Majority World: Why the Global South Should Lead, Not Follow,” Prof Orji challenged what she described as a prevailing model in which AI technologies are developed in high-resource environments and later exported to developing regions without sufficient contextual adaptation.

She argued that the Global South should be recognised not as a late adopter of artificial intelligence, but as a key design frontier where constrained environments and diverse user needs can drive the development of more resilient and human-centred technologies.

The keynote brought together scientists, policymakers, innovators and civil society leaders from around the world to discuss the role of science, technology and innovation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Prof Orji noted that discussions following her address reflected strong engagement from researchers, diplomats and young innovators working at the intersection of technology, policy and development.

The STI Forum serves as a global platform for exchanging ideas and strengthening collaboration on science and technology-driven solutions to development challenges.

Participants at the forum are expected to continue discussions on how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, can be shaped to better serve inclusive global development priorities.