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Explore news, announcements, events and updates on the work of the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies.

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11 September 2026

Secretary-General Calls for Global Fund to Address AI Capacity-Building Gaps in Developing Countries

A new report of the Secretary-General submitted to the General Assembly, Unique challenges faced by developing countries in artificial intelligence capacity-building (A/80/817), finds that financing for artificial intelligence capacity-building remains fragmented and leaves significant geographical gaps. The report recommends that the General Assembly take steps to advance the establishment of a Global Fund for AI Capacity-Building.

17–21 August 2026

Lesotho becomes first to pilot UN Blueprint for National AI and Data Strategies

Lesotho became the first country to pilot the United Nations Blueprint for National AI and Data Strategies during a five-day workshop in Maseru, using the framework to assess national readiness and develop a draft roadmap for AI implementation and computing capacity.

18 July 2026

UN Envoy on Technology Calls for Stronger Global Cooperation on AI Governance at WAIC

United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies Amandeep Singh Gill delivered remarks at the WAIC High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, calling for stronger international cooperation grounded in science, inclusive policy and capacity-building.

6–7 July 2026

Inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance Convenes in Geneva

The inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance brought governments, tech companies, academia, civil society and the technical community together in Geneva to advance discussions on safe, inclusive and accountable AI governance. The Dialogue followed the release of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI’s preliminary report, providing a shared scientific evidence base for the discussions.

3 July 2026

African Telecommunications Union and UN-ODET to Collaborate on AI Capacity and Digital Public Infrastructure Across Africa

The African Telecommunications Union and the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies announced a new collaboration to accelerate the deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure and bolster artificial intelligence capacity across Africa.

1 July 2026

Independent International Scientific Panel on AI Launches Preliminary Report on AI Opportunities, Risks & Impacts

The UN Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence released its Preliminary Report, delivering the first global, independent scientific assessment of AI opportunities, risks and impacts.

25 June 2026

AI Systems as Digital Public Goods Report

UN ODET, United Nations University Macau and the Asian Development Bank released AI Systems as Digital Public Goods: Evidence and Recommendations from a Multi-Stakeholder Assessment during OSPO for Good Day at UN Open Source Week 2026.

22–26 June 2026

UN Open Source Week 2026

UN Open Source Week 2026 brought participants from around the world to UN Headquarters to advance open source collaboration across artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, Open Source Program Offices and other areas of digital cooperation.

28 May 2026

UN Launches AI Governance for Humanity Lab in Valencia

UN ODET officially launched the AI Governance for Humanity Lab in Valencia, Spain. The Lab focuses on the practical side of AI governance, building shared understanding, advancing interoperability and supporting implementation across regions and sectors.

22 April 2026

First In-Person Meeting of the UN's Independent International Scientific Panel on AI Convenes in Madrid

At its first in-person meeting in Madrid, the Panel's 40 members convened to begin providing evidence-based scientific assessments on the opportunities, risks and impacts of artificial intelligence.

3 March 2026

First Co-Chairs of the UN’s Independent International Scientific Panel on AI Elected

At its inaugural meeting, the Panel’s 40 members elected Yoshua Bengio of Canada and Maria Ressa of the Philippines to facilitate the first truly global scientific body dedicated to artificial intelligence.

18–20 February 2026

India AI Impact Summit 2026

ODET hosted high-level side events in the margins of the Summit examining scientific evidence in international AI governance, safeguards for children’s safety and wellbeing, and how AI can reshape global development beyond the SDGs.

12 February 2026

Members of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI Appointed by General Assembly

The 40 members of the new Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence were appointed by the General Assembly for a three-year term and will serve in their personal capacity.

25 September 2025

Open Call for Candidates to Serve on the UN Independent International Scientific Panel on AI

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres launched the Open Call for candidates to serve on the Panel, which will bring together 40 leading experts to provide impartial, evidence-based assessments on the opportunities, risks and impacts of AI.

25 September 2025

High-level Multi-stakeholder Informal Meeting to Launch the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance

The President of the General Assembly held a high-level multistakeholder informal meeting to launch the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, bringing governments, scientists, the tech community, private sector and civil society together under the auspices of the General Assembly.

22 September 2025

UN Digital Cooperation Day

Organized by ODET during UN General Assembly High-Level Week, Digital Cooperation Day marked one year since the adoption of the Global Digital Compact and showcased progress and new initiatives across digital cooperation.

16–20 June 2025

UN Open Source Week 2025

UN Open Source Week 2025 brought participants from around the world to UN Headquarters for dialogue and collaboration on open source, digital public infrastructure and innovative solutions to global challenges.

6 May 2025

Science, Technology and Innovation Forum Action Day

The Action Day marked the first STI Forum gathering since the adoption of the Global Digital Compact, with a high-level event focused on translating the Compact’s commitments into concrete action.

9 January 2025

UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology Undertakes Official Visit to India

Under-Secretary-General Amandeep Singh Gill undertook an official visit to India, his first official trip since the establishment of the new UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies.

1 January 2025

A New UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies

On 1 January 2025, the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology transitioned to the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies following a decision by the General Assembly.

4 October 2024

UN Envoy on Technology Advocates for Linguistic Diversity in AI Development at the 19th Francophonie Summit

UN Under-Secretary-General and Envoy on Technology Amandeep Gill emphasized the critical role of linguistic and cultural diversity in the age of artificial intelligence at the 19th Francophonie Summit.

22 September 2024

United Nations Adopts Ground-breaking Pact for the Future to Transform Global Governance

World leaders adopted the Pact for the Future, including the Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. The Global Digital Compact is the first comprehensive global framework for digital cooperation and AI governance.

22 September 2024

UN and OECD Announce Next Steps in Collaboration on Artificial Intelligence

The UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology and the OECD announced an enhanced collaboration on global AI governance on the margins of the Summit of the Future.

21 September 2024

Summit of the Future

Leaders, technology companies, activists and UN agencies gathered for the Summit of the Future Action Day, bringing together more than 500 policymakers, technology executives, academics and civil society leaders to address digital cooperation challenges.

19 September 2024

Governing AI for Humanity

The final report of the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-level Advisory Body on AI outlines seven key recommendations for the future of global AI governance.

22 August 2024

Global Digital Compact Stakeholder Sessions

The Co-Facilitators leading the intergovernmental process on the Global Digital Compact held a virtual stakeholder meeting to discuss progress in the process.

7 August 2024

Mind the AI Divide

Published with the International Labour Organization, Mind the AI Divide: Shaping a Global Perspective on the Future of Work explores AI’s role in reshaping labour markets, the AI value chain and demand for skills.

10 July 2024

OSPOs for Good Conference

The OSPOs for Good Conference brought participants from around the world together to explore how open source can enable global cooperation across artificial intelligence, government, youth and networked cities.

29 May 2024

In-Person Meeting of the High-level Advisory Body on AI in Singapore

The UN Secretary-General’s High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence convened in Singapore to develop recommendations on international AI governance and foster global cooperation.

29 April 2024

Leveraging DPI for Safe and Inclusive Societies

Stewarded by the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology and UNDP, the interim report brings together work from 44 DPI Safeguards working group members to help shape safe and inclusive digital public infrastructure.

14 March 2024

In-Person Meeting of the High-level Advisory Body on AI in Geneva

The United Nations Secretary-General’s High-level Advisory Body convened in Geneva to develop recommendations on global AI governance and engage with international organizations and institutions.

4 March 2024

UN Announces Multi-stakeholder Working Groups for Digital Public Infrastructure Safeguards

The United Nations announced six multi-stakeholder working groups for Digital Public Infrastructure Safeguards, stewarded by the Office of the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology and UNDP.