China and Zambia have teamed up to host a significant event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) capacity-building. The side event, part of the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-Building, took place on Tuesday and attracted representatives from over 70 countries, including Russia, France, Brazil, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Ethiopia. International organizations like the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies were also present.
Participants engaged in lively discussions about promoting equitable and inclusive development of AI worldwide. They worked towards a common goal of improving AI governance and finding ways to bridge the digital divide that separates those with access to technology from those without.
“Since the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution, we have organized two productive seminars in Beijing and Shanghai, bringing together over 180 participants from more than 40 countries,” said Fu Cong, China’s ambassador to the UN. “These seminars have provided valuable platforms to share best practices and discuss the way forward for global AI governance.”
AI is transforming the way we live and work, offering exciting opportunities and vast potential. However, according to the ITU, as of 2024, about 2.6 billion people—nearly one-third of the global population—still lack internet access. This digital divide highlights the challenges many countries face in accessing the benefits of new technologies.
In response to these challenges, China and Zambia launched the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-Building. Since its first meeting last December, the group has grown steadily and become an important force in global AI governance. It aims to strengthen cooperation on AI capacity-building and make strides toward bridging the digital divide.
“I look forward to insightful contributions from the speakers to help us chart the way forward for the Group of Friends and conduct more practical exchanges and cooperation on AI capacity-building,” Fu noted.
This initiative underscores the importance of international collaboration in ensuring that AI benefits are shared globally, especially among developing countries. By focusing on capacity-building and multilateral cooperation, the group hopes to create a more inclusive digital future for all.
