By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
MTN Group President and
Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita has been appointed as a founding
commissioner of the AI for Good Global Commission, a new initiative of the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) aimed at advancing responsible
artificial intelligence for sustainable development.
The Commission brings
together more than 40 founding members from governments, businesses and
international organizations to promote digital inclusion, strengthen trust in
artificial intelligence and accelerate its economic and social impact through
responsible deployment.
Mupita said it was an honour
to serve as one of the founding commissioners, noting that artificial
intelligence has the potential to transform critical sectors including
healthcare, education, food security and industrial productivity.
He emphasized that the
development and deployment of AI should be safe, ethical and inclusive, adding
that these principles align closely with the objectives of the AI for Good
Global Commission.
The initiative builds on the
work of the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, which has played
a significant role in advancing global priorities related to digital inclusion,
connectivity and economic development.
The Commission is co-chaired
by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Salesforce Chief Executive Officer Marc
Benioff. Its inaugural meeting is scheduled to take place in Geneva this week.
MTN Group said the
appointment reflects its commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence as a
strategic driver of growth. The company has identified AI as one of its key
business priorities and is targeting approximately R30 billion in value
creation opportunities over the next three to five years through the adoption
of AI technologies.
The AI for Good Global
Commission is expected to provide strategic guidance on international
cooperation, policy development and practical applications of artificial
intelligence to support inclusive digital transformation and sustainable
economic growth.
