On April 25, 2024, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations University (UNU) jointly hosted a dialogue titled "AI for Sustainable Development" during the 2024 AI Conference.

 

The dialogue was chaired by Ana Paula Nishio de Sousa, Director of the Digital Transformation and AI Strategy Division at UNIDO. Keynote speeches were delivered by UN Under-Secretary-General and Rector of the United Nations University, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, and UNIDO Director-General, Dr. Gerd Müller. Professor Liu Hao from the School of Management at Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) joined Dr. Huang Jingbo, Director of the United Nations University Institute in Macau, Drazen Kapusta, President of the European COTRUGLI Business School, and Dr. Geng Yanhui, Director of Huawei Hong Kong Research Center, in a discussion on how AI can promote sustainable development in the industrial and manufacturing sectors.

 

Professor Tshilidzi Marwala emphasized that AI can play a critical role in advancing sustainable development and should be incorporated into the core agenda of sustainable development. He highlighted the importance of global cooperation in leveraging AI to address the world's most pressing challenges, stating, "Collaboration between academia, international organizations, and industry is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals through AI."

 

Dr. Gerd Müller noted, "AI is revolutionizing industries and enhancing productivity, paving the way for sustainable development goals." He shared UNIDO's work on AI, stating, "UNIDO is leading the integration of AI into industry and manufacturing to achieve a sustainable future, ensuring that everyone benefits from the dividends of AI."

 

Professor Liu Hao discussed how academia can lead in promoting AI to enhance resource efficiency and reduce industrial emissions. He also addressed how higher education institutions can bridge the gap to ensure AI benefits all of society and promotes inclusive development. Professor Liu shared BIT's practices in technology, management, and governance, introduced BIT's AI-related scholarship programs, and emphasized that the development of AI itself should reduce emissions to achieve green and sustainable development. He called for the establishment of a green metrics system for AI through international cooperation and industry support.

 

The dialogue was part of the 2024 AI Conference organized by the United Nations University Institute in Macau and contributed to the 2024 United Nations Future Summit.