BAI Co-Organizes UN Side Event: Making AI Accessible for All
Blockchain Alliance International proudly co-organized a side event during the 9th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum) on 9 May 2024 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Entitled “Making AI Possible for All Through Pooling Resources and Regional Collaboration,” the event brought together ministers, senior UN officials, and global experts to examine how artificial intelligence can be leveraged equitably to support sustainable development.
The event was jointly organized by Indonesia, Bahrain, the Dominican Republic, Libya, Saint Lucia, Tajikistan, UNDP, ITU, and Blockchain Alliance International, and was framed within the context of UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/78/265. BAI played an important role in shaping the agenda and facilitating cross-sector dialogue, drawing on its experience in bridging policy, technology, and development communities to promote safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems, particularly for developing countries.
High-level interventions were delivered by the Ministers for Cyber and Crypto Agency of the Republic of Indonesia and of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan, who highlighted national efforts to ensure AI accessibility for all, including integrating AI into higher education and strengthening cooperation with technology companies to build national capacity. The international dimension was further reinforced by the Deputy Secretary-General of ITU who underscored AI’s growing contribution to global economic development and its transformative impact across sectors such as health, education, and agriculture. He highlighted ITU’s leadership in promoting AI for global good, including through UN system-wide cooperation and global platforms dedicated to responsible AI innovation.
The panel discussion and interactive exchanges addressed both the opportunities and challenges of regional AI collaboration, including affordability, governance, ethics, and environmental impacts. Dr. Chong Li, Professor of Electrical Engineering at Columbia University and Founder and CEO of OORT, participated as a special invited speaker, sharing insights on decentralized AI infrastructure and the role of blockchain-enabled systems in pooling computing resources, ensuring data integrity, and supporting more transparent and inclusive AI innovation. Delegations from multiple regions emphasized the importance of public-private-academia partnerships and regional cooperation to ensure that AI benefits are shared equitably.
The event concluded with a strong call for action focused on regional collaboration, responsible governance, workforce development, and sustained investment in digital and AI infrastructure. BAI reaffirmed its commitment to working with the United Nations, Member States, international organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society to bridge technology divides and advance practical, inclusive AI solutions in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.