Strengthening multilateral partnerships and harnessing technology in support of the SDGs
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) high-level week returns to New York City under the theme of “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.” Last year’s UNGA showcased the need for all stakeholders to double down on the SDGs, and the potential for digital technology and artificial intelligence to accelerate progress across all SDGs. What makes this year’s UNGA unique is the Summit of the Future, a series of discussions aiming to deliver a sustainable and prosperous world, to explore reforms to the international peace and security architecture, and the role of the UN and international cooperation to deliver these, leading to a first-of-its-kind “Pact for the Future” negotiated by all UN member states. As we engage in this discussion, we see the potential for Microsoft to bring the opportunities of the new AI economy to the world, and to act, alongside others in the private sector that are bringing innovation and investment to the table, as trusted and reliable partner to drive progress in support of all of these goals.
Any discussion about the future must consider the way that digital technology is shaping opportunities and challenges for society, and a centerpiece of the Pact for the Future is the Global Digital Compact (GDC), a resolution that sets out a series of principles and commitments on the global governance of technology. This will be the first time that every UN Member State agrees on an all-encompassing approach to digital technology, providing a framework for international action on issues like AI and Data Governance, Privacy, Skilling, Connectivity and Access, and above all building trust and safety across the online ecosystem.
With the GDC, the UN will engage with the ongoing creation of a new AI economy that could bring opportunity to the entire world. At Microsoft, we strongly believe that the benefits of AI and other technologies should not be limited to a handful of the wealthiest countries in the world. Collectively, we should not repeat the mistakes of previous moments in history when transformational technologies did not spread quickly enough. Nearly 150 years after the first use in New York City of electricity to light up a building, 700 million people around the world still do not have access to electricity.
Closing the global digital divide could play a central role in allowing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be realized. Bringing affordable internet access to unserved and underserved communities would enable participation in areas like education, work and health. Digital inclusion can foster safe and secure online practices and align with fundamental rights and freedoms. A thriving AI economy could drive opportunities for citizens in the global economy, and enable solutions to issues involving health, education, financial inclusion, sustainability, and critical public services.
This is why Microsoft is committed to putting AI in the hands of everyone on the planet and to closing the digital divide, particularly in the Global South. The International Telecommunication Union estimates that a third of the world is still offline, rising to two-thirds of the population in Africa. Microsoft is investing billions in countries including Kenya, Indonesia, and the Philippines to advance infrastructure, cybersecurity capacity, digital skilling, nonprofit support, and local R&D. Through our digital skilling initiatives, we’ve trained 14.1 million people worldwide with critical digital and AI skills and certifications. Through our AI skilling initiatives, we will further empower 26 million people to use and develop AI tools, including upskilling 5 million from underserved communities, focusing on youth, women, rural areas, and the Global South. In the last year alone, we have provided $4.7 billion in grants or discounted software and services. Additionally, Microsoft’s Airband Initiative aims to connect 250 million unserved and underserved people, including 100 million in Africa, by 2025. We are expanding this effort in countries including Kenya, DRC, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa and India. Finally, the Microsoft AI for Good Lab is expanding to Abu Dhabi, where a team of local data scientists will drive AI innovation to solve societal challenges.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called the Summit of the Future “an important step in the journey to build stronger and more effective multilateralism.” Stakeholders including youth, civil society and business are being asked to join this journey and for Microsoft, the call to action – and the opportunities to engage – have never been greater. The GDC has been planned, prepared and negotiated for the better part of the last eighteen months. Microsoft is proud to be the only private sector participant to have offered its views and perspectives during every opportunity open to stakeholders.
One issue which has attracted input from a huge range of stakeholders is AI governance, which will feature prominently at this year’s UNGA. The UN High-Level Advisory Body (HLAB) on Artificial Intelligence has now issued its final report, which follows the adoption of two separate General Assembly resolutions on AI agreed earlier this year, one authored by the United States and the other by China. Microsoft has argued throughout for the responsible development, deployment and use of safe, secure and trustworthy AI, and supports a shared scientific understanding of AI’s risks and benefits. We have also underscored the need for interoperability and inclusive progress, as we push for the benefits of AI to reach as many people and countries as possible. At Microsoft we captured some of our thinking in the book, “Global Governance: Goals and Lessons for AI.” UNGA, and the HLAB report, are just a stage in the journey, and in coming months, we will continue to host discussions on frameworks and progress regarding the future of AI governance with global stakeholders, including through our Global Perspectives Fellowships Program.
As we reflect on another year of progress at the UN, we should take stock of how much we all still need to do. We need to ensure that the conversation does not end at UNGA. With the UN now more than halfway towards its 2030 deadline to reach the SDGs, we are doubling down on our efforts. Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab has already demonstrated tangible progress in AI fields like healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, and beyond. Throughout the past year, the UN and International Organizations team has also been convening UN stakeholders across New York and Geneva to discuss how AI and other digital technologies can be used to supercharge delivery of the SDGs. Here is a snapshot of some of these engagements, as we continue to highlight our commitments to expand opportunity, earn trust, protect fundamental rights, and advance sustainability:
- SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Microsoft, with the Canadian and Chilean Permanent Missions to the UN, brought together UN leaders to discuss AI workforce trends and ways in which AI skills and digital learning can advance opportunities for decent work for all. The convening featured valuable insights, demonstrations, and practical group work on Copilot and LinkedIn Learning pathways for UN and mission staff members.
- SDG16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: In a critical election year, Microsoft and GZERO Media gathered a diverse group of UN stakeholders to provide big picture analysis of the deepfake landscape to support understanding among government officials and UN staff on the risks associated with the use of deceptive AI in elections.
- SDG13: Climate Change: Microsoft and the United States Council for International Business (USCIB) hosted a roundtable discussion on the role of the private sector in supporting climate action in relation to the Global Pact for the Future. The discussion highlighted the need to use every tool at our disposal – including AI – to address climate change and identified ways for the private sector to increase its collaboration with the UN.
- SDG 5: Gender Equality: During the UN 68th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), Microsoft led discussions on Gender Equality in the Age of AI. With GZERO Media and the UN Foundation, we explored challenges relating to online gender-based violence and risks and opportunities for female political leaders, as well as ways to assist women to thrive in STEM and the importance of women innovation leaders in advancing the SDGs.
- SDG10: Reducing Inequalities: During the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP17), Microsoft and the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the UN hosted a discussion on how AI and data-driven technologies possess the transformative capacity to serve the common good when fostering safe and secure practices and aligning with fundamental rights and freedoms.