President Paul Kagame has called for a global approach to artificial intelligence that prioritizes practical results, inclusive development, and shared prosperity, emphasizing that the next phase of the digital revolution must benefit people across all regions rather than deepen existing inequalities. Speaking during the launch of the AI for Good Global Commission, Kagame underscored that the world is entering a new chapter where digital connectivity alone is no longer sufficient. Instead, he said, nations are moving into an era in which data and artificial intelligence will increasingly shape economic growth, innovation, and public services, making it essential to ensure that technological progress serves humanity as a whole.
Addressing an international audience, President Kagame noted that artificial intelligence has become a driving force capable of transforming multiple sectors simultaneously. He explained that advances in AI are expected to influence healthcare by improving medical research, diagnostics, and service delivery, strengthen education through new learning opportunities and personalized instruction, and support more efficient energy systems, while also creating opportunities across agriculture, finance, manufacturing, and public administration. However, he cautioned that these benefits can only be fully realized if governments, technology companies, researchers, and international institutions work together to ensure that AI development remains inclusive, responsible, and accessible.
President Kagame stressed that the commission’s mission extends beyond promoting technological innovation. According to him, its broader responsibility is to ensure that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence does not increase existing social, economic, or digital disparities between countries and communities. He emphasized that the international community has a unique opportunity to shape AI in ways that expand opportunity, strengthen public services, and improve quality of life while ensuring that no nation or population is left behind as technology continues to evolve.
During his remarks, Kagame highlighted the urgency of the work before the commission, observing that the pace of technological change requires timely and coordinated action. While acknowledging that the initiative will encounter complex challenges, he emphasized that its success should ultimately be measured by concrete achievements rather than discussions alone. He stated that the commission’s objective is to move beyond dialogue by developing practical recommendations and ensuring that agreed priorities are translated into meaningful actions capable of delivering measurable benefits to societies around the world.
The launch of the AI for Good Global Commission included a high-level fireside conversation featuring President Kagame, fellow Co-Chair Marc Benioff, and Vice-Chair Doreen Bogdan-Martin. The discussion explored the expanding role of artificial intelligence in advancing sustainable development, fostering innovation, and addressing global challenges while encouraging stronger international cooperation in the responsible development and deployment of emerging technologies. The exchange also reflected a shared commitment to ensuring that AI contributes to long-term economic and social progress through collaboration between governments, industry, academia, and international organizations.
Following the public discussion, President Kagame chaired the commission’s inaugural meeting together with Marc Benioff and Doreen Bogdan-Martin, formally launching the work of the newly established body. The first meeting marked the beginning of a collaborative process aimed at identifying practical strategies for applying artificial intelligence to some of the world’s most significant challenges. Commissioners began outlining priorities focused on encouraging responsible innovation, expanding equitable access to AI technologies, strengthening international cooperation, and supporting policies that maximize the positive impact of artificial intelligence while reducing potential risks.
The AI for Good Global Commission brings together 44 commissioners drawn from government, international organizations, technology companies, academia, and other sectors, creating a diverse platform of expertise and leadership. By assembling policymakers, innovators, business leaders, and specialists from different regions of the world, the commission seeks to bridge perspectives and develop practical recommendations that can be implemented across a wide range of countries and industries. Its work is expected to focus on identifying scalable solutions that help societies harness artificial intelligence to improve public services, stimulate sustainable economic development, and address global issues requiring collective action.
The commission’s launch reflects growing international recognition that artificial intelligence will play an increasingly influential role in shaping future economies and societies. As countries continue investing in digital transformation, the initiative aims to encourage cooperation that balances innovation with responsibility while promoting policies that expand opportunity and reduce barriers to technological participation. With its leadership now formally in place and its work officially underway, the AI for Good Global Commission begins its mission of turning global dialogue into practical outcomes designed to ensure that artificial intelligence contributes to a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for people around the world.
