Intl forum seeks to address AI divide during WAIC 2025

The Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Forum on Bridging the AI Divide and the opening ceremony of the Artificial Intelligence for Industry and Manufacturing Center of Excellence was held on Sunday during the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, focusing on promoting open cooperation and technology sharing in artificial intelligence among emerging economies and developing nations.

The forum, held in the city's Minhang district, attracted over 300 participants from more than 20 countries and regions, with representatives from think tanks, universities, governments, and enterprises discussing ways to bridge the global AI development gap.

Amandeep Singh Gill, UN under-secretary-general and special envoy for digital and emerging technologies, highlighted disparities in global AI infrastructure. "All of Africa has just less than 1 percent of the world's data center capacity and less than 1,000 GPUs to train AI models," he noted, adding that 180 countries remain outside major AI governance initiatives.

Gill revealed that the UN secretary-general will present a report proposing options, including a global fund on AI, to support countries lacking basic AI capabilities in computing, data, talent, policies, and use cases. "We move forward inclusively with confidence that AI will benefit all of humanity, and its risks and harms will not be unfairly loaded onto some sections of the global population," he noted.

Liu Fang, former secretary-general of the International Civil Aviation Organization, drew parallels between AI development and sustainable development goals, emphasizing the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships. "Just as no one nation can solve climate change alone, no single actor can ensure the responsible and inclusive development of AI," Liu said.

Cho Sung-hwan, president of the International Organization for Standardization, stressed the importance of international standards in ensuring equitable AI development. "The benefits of AI must be shared by all, not just by those developing the technology," Cho said, highlighting ISO's inclusive standards development process that brings together diverse stakeholders.

The forum marked the inauguration of the new site of AIM Global CoE, the first specialized international institution focusing on AI cooperation under the UN framework. The center aims to attract international cooperation projects, technology, resources, and talent to the Minhang district.

Several strategic partnerships were announced during the event, including the signing of a mutual recognition mechanism agreement between AIM Global and the BRICS+ AI alliance network. The AIM Global CoE also established partnerships with institutes, including the Macao Translational Medicine Center and Shanghai Polytechnic University.

Two high-level roundtable discussions explored AI-driven industrial development paths for emerging economies and the construction of a fair AI future and its socioeconomic impacts. Experts agreed on the need to strengthen comprehensive capacity building and transnational collaboration in AI innovation, application, and governance.

Supporting China's AI education strategy, the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute signed agreements with Qibao high school education group and Xiehe education group to establish an international AI education laboratory and an AI+ education innovation cooperation body.

This event is hosted by the AIM Global CoE and co-organized by institutions including the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute and Shanghai Technology Innovation Center.