More than 12,000 participants are expected to attend this week’s AI for Good Summit in Geneva, where global leaders are exploring how artificial intelligence can be developed responsibly while ensuring its benefits reach countries and communities worldwide.
The event, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has become one of the world’s leading forums dedicated to artificial intelligence. It brings together researchers, ministers, executives from major technology companies, and representatives of civil society to discuss both the opportunities and the challenges created by rapidly advancing AI technologies.
Expanding AI Benefits Beyond Major Technology Hubs
Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of the ITU, said the summit goes beyond discussion by encouraging practical collaboration among governments, businesses, and international organizations.
“By the end of this digital week, we will have at least 12,000 participants,” Lamanauskas said. “We are debating and taking concrete action to ensure artificial intelligence benefits everyone around the world, not just a handful of countries or a small group of highly educated people concentrated in specific economic centers.”
According to Lamanauskas, the organization’s goal is to promote widespread access to AI while maintaining safeguards that make the technology trustworthy, accurate, and beneficial for humanity.
An Inclusive International Forum
The ITU, the United Nations agency responsible for global telecommunications standards, launched the first AI for Good Summit in 2017. As artificial intelligence has rapidly expanded into nearly every aspect of daily life, the annual event has grown into one of the most influential gatherings focused on the technology’s future.
Often described as the “Davos of AI,” the summit distinguishes itself by emphasizing accessibility. Participants under 18 can attend free of charge, while students receive discounted admission to encourage broader participation by younger generations.
Lamanauskas also stressed that the summit offers countries that are often underrepresented at other international technology forums an opportunity to participate directly in global discussions.
“This is, above all, an inclusive summit,” he said, noting that representatives from virtually every United Nations member state can engage directly with major technology companies in open discussions about AI policy and development.
Technology Demonstrations and Young Innovators
The Geneva venue features more than 200 exhibitions showcasing artificial intelligence across a wide range of applications, from specialized devices to advanced humanoid robots capable of increasingly sophisticated movements and natural interactions with visitors.
The summit also hosts an annual robotics competition that gives children and teenagers from developing countries an opportunity to present their inventions on an international stage. Finalists from Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe qualify after national competitions and receive organizational support to participate in the global event.
As governments continue debating the future of AI regulation and adoption, organizers say the summit aims to balance innovation with responsible governance while ensuring that emerging technologies become more accessible across both developed and developing economies.