About ODET
Serving as an advocate and focal point for digital cooperation so that Member States, the private sector, civil society, academic and technical communities, and other stakeholders have a first port of call for the broader United Nations system.Activities by ODET
ODET-led Engagements on AI during the Summit of the Future and High-Level Week
Global Not ApplicableAs part of the coordinated UN-wide effort to advance global digital cooperation and AI governance, the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology (OSET) led and co-organized a series of strategic engagements during the High-Level Week and the Action Day of the 2024 Summit of the Future. These activities were designed to amplify the release of the final report of the Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI, Governing AI for Humanity, and to operationalize key digital governance outcomes from the Global Digital Compact.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsPolicy/Regulatory GuidanceAwareness/AdvocacyNetworks/Mentorship/ExchangeSecretary-General’s High Level Advisory Body on AI
Global Not ApplicableThe Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology coordinated the implementation of the Secretary-General's proposal to establish a multi-stakeholder advisory body on global artificial intelligence cooperation. The body provided guidance on artificial intelligence that was trustworthy, human-rights based, safe and sustainable, and promoted peace. The Advisory Body released its final report titled "Governing AI for Humanity," which built on months of work, including extensive global consultations, and the publication of an interim report in December 2023.
Activity Type Policy/Regulatory GuidanceAwareness/AdvocacyNetworks/Mentorship/ExchangeMind the AI Divide: Shaping a Global Perspective on the Future of Work
Global United KingdomUnited States
This report, co-authored by the United Nations and the International Labour Organization, addresses the critical issue of the uneven adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications for global equity, fairness, and social justice.
Disparities in access to digital infrastructure, advanced technology, quality education, and training are deepening existing inequalities, particularly as the global economy shifts towards AI-driven production and innovation. Less developed countries risk being left behind, exacerbating economic and social divides.
The report stresses the importance of targeted and concerted efforts to bridge this digital divide to ensure AI's potential to foster sustainable development and alleviate poverty. It highlights the role of the workplace in AI adoption, where productivity gains and improved working conditions can be achieved with the right conditions, including digital infrastructure, skills, and a culture of social dialogue.
Promoting inclusive growth requires proactive strategies to support AI development in disadvantaged regions, enhance digital infrastructure, build AI skills, and ensure good quality jobs along the AI value chain. International collaboration in AI capacity building is crucial to create a more equitable and resilient AI ecosystem, unlocking opportunities for shared prosperity and human advancement worldwide.
The report calls for continued collaborative efforts to shape global AI governance, uphold human dignity and labour standards, and expand economic opportunities for all.