A new international initiative aimed at advancing artificial intelligence adoption and governance was launched by Rwanda President Paul Kagame, Salesforce Chair and CEO Marc Benioff, and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. The AI for Good Global Commission brings together governments, technology companies and international organizations to develop practical approaches for expanding access to AI while promoting trust in its use.
The commission includes more than 40 founding members, bringing together heads of state and government, chief executives and senior business leaders, as well as heads of United Nations agencies. According to the organizers, the group will focus on connecting policymakers, technology developers, organizations deploying AI systems and representatives of communities to support responsible AI adoption across sectors while encouraging participation from developing countries.
"One thing is certain: technology is supposed to be a force for good, and we have a responsibility to use it accordingly," said President Kagame, Co-Chair of the Commission. "Let us work together to reduce inequality, and allow more and more of our citizens to benefit from the good AI can deliver to all of us."
Marc Benioff, who leads Salesforce, a provider of customer relationship management software and enterprise AI applications, will serve as co-chair alongside Kagame. He said, “The promise of AI is built on not only incredible opportunities for the growth of our economy, but on the foundation of trust that is required for our shared success.”
The International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations agency responsible for information and communication technologies, will serve as vice chair through Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. She said, “No organization can single-handedly put AI at the service of all humanity. It will take collective leadership and the combined expertise of partners from across sectors to ensure AI benefits all people, everywhere.”
A central objective of the commission is addressing unequal access to AI technologies. According to the organizers, 2.2 billion people remain offline, leaving one quarter of the global population without access to advances in artificial intelligence. The initiative will focus on expanding digital inclusion so AI can be applied to global challenges without increasing existing inequalities.
The AI for Good Global Commission builds on the work of the ITU and UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on connectivity, digital inclusion and economic development.
The commission's inaugural meeting is scheduled to take place during the AI for Good Global Summit 2026, held from 7 to 10 July in Geneva, Switzerland. The summit is part of Digital Week, which also includes the first UN-mandated Global Dialogue on AI Governance on 6 and 7 July and the WSIS Forum 2026 from 6 to 10 July.
