President Kagame Calls for African Leadership in AI Development at UN Summit

Rwandan President Paul Kagame addressed the United Nations' AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, urging African nations to transition from being mere consumers of artificial intelligence to active builders and deployers of the technology at scale. He emphasized the need for intentional design, financing, and governance of AI to ensure it fosters development across the continent rather than exacerbating global inequalities. Kagame outlined key priorities for equitable AI growth, including expanding robust infrastructure for computing, connectivity, and clean energy, investing significantly in skills through continuous education reform, and establishing strong global governance frameworks built on accountability and trust.

President Kagame's remarks coincided with the launch of the AI for Good Global Commission, a high-level initiative he co-chairs with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff. This commission, comprising 44 leaders from government, industry, academia, and the UN, aims to identify practical applications of AI for global challenges while promoting responsible governance. Kagame's involvement underscores a commitment to shaping the future of AI from an African perspective, ensuring the continent's voice is central to international discussions on this transformative technology.

The summit also highlighted broader challenges in AI development, such as persistent gender and racial biases in AI systems, as noted by UN Women. Furthermore, Germany's GIZ and the African Union advocated for anchoring AI development in robust national ecosystems, emphasizing the critical role of enabling policies, accessible data, digital infrastructure, and long-term partnerships. These discussions reinforce the complexity of ensuring AI contributes to sustainable development globally, with a particular focus on preventing new digital divides in Africa.