Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as one of the most innovative technologies of our time, offering unprecedented opportunities to address global challenges and improve quality of life. From healthcare and education to disaster response and sustainable resource management, AI is reshaping the way society tackles complex problems and forges a path toward well-being for humanity and the planet. From robotics and geospatial intelligence to smart communications networks, AI-powered tools are enabling innovations that enhance human capabilities and promote sustainable development around the world.
At the same time, the rapid adoption of AI requires important considerations about ethics, governance, and fairness. Responsible implementation requires coordination between governments, industry, academia, and civil society to ensure that AI serves humanity at large, not just a select few.
Report prepared by UNU-CPR for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Unlocking the potential of AI to benefit humanity: robotics, geospatial AI, and communications networks, It brings together insights from research, case studies, policy discussions, and more from ITU’s AI for Good Global Summit over the past decade. The report focuses on applications of AI in areas such as healthcare, rehabilitation, disaster response, agriculture, education, and global sustainability, and distills the policy implications of responsibly deploying AI on a global scale.
This flagship report identifies technical, ethical, and governance trends in AI and lays out actionable paths for leveraging AI to benefit both people and the planet. It is designed to inform member states, industry leaders, multilateral institutions and civil society organizations and provide a roadmap for ethical and inclusive AI adoption that maximizes social and environmental benefits.
