By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
UN Tech Envoy Amandeep Gill
has called for stronger international cooperation to ensure that advances in
artificial intelligence (AI) deliver practical benefits for people while
addressing challenges around safety, climate resilience and industry transformation.
Gill participated in a
series of engagements at the 2026 World AI Conference in Shanghai as part of
the delegation of the United Nations Secretary-General, where discussions
focused on how global collaboration can translate rapid AI developments into
meaningful public value.
Addressing the role of
standards in AI development, Gill stressed the importance of embedding safety,
accountability and human oversight into the engineering decisions that shape
how AI systems operate.
He noted that AI standards
must remain grounded in long-term principles while also evolving quickly enough
to keep pace with technological progress.
On climate resilience, Gill
highlighted the potential of AI, satellite technologies and shared data systems
to strengthen early-warning mechanisms and support efforts to protect
communities from climate-related risks.
He also pointed to the need
for responsible AI deployment that considers the environmental impact
associated with the growing use of artificial intelligence technologies.
In discussions on industry
transformation, the UN Tech Envoy said AI is reducing barriers to innovation by
providing smaller companies with capabilities that were previously accessible
mainly to large enterprises.
He encouraged industry
stakeholders to actively participate in the emerging United Nations AI
governance framework as artificial intelligence continues to reshape sectors
globally.
Gill emphasised that the
success of AI should not only be measured by technological capabilities but by
its ability to improve lives and create meaningful benefits for societies.
