Kagame, Benioff and ITU Launch AI for Good Global Commission
The initiative is designed to identify practical approaches to strengthening trust in AI, expanding access to the technology and accelerating its use to address real-world challenges while ensuring developing countries play an active role in shaping the global AI agenda.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Salesforce Chair and CEO Marc Benioff, and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin have announced the launch of the AI for Good Global Commission, a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at advancing the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence worldwide.
The Commission brings together more than 40 founding members, including heads of state and government, chief executives, senior technology leaders and heads of United Nations agencies. The initiative is designed to identify practical approaches to strengthening trust in AI, expanding access to the technology and accelerating its use to address real-world challenges while ensuring developing countries play an active role in shaping the global AI agenda.
The Commission seeks to bridge the gap between technology developers, policymakers, businesses and communities to foster responsible AI solutions across industries and borders. Organizers said the body occupies a unique position in the global AI landscape by bringing together stakeholders responsible for building, deploying and governing AI technologies.
Highlighting the Commission’s mission, President Kagame said:
“One thing is certain: technology is supposed to be a force for good, and we have a responsibility to use it accordingly. 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.”
– Paul Kagame, President, Rwanda
Benioff emphasized that trust will be central to the successful adoption of AI, stating: “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.”
A major priority for the Commission will be addressing digital inequality. With an estimated 2.2 billion people still lacking internet access, the Commission aims to help ensure that AI contributes to solving global challenges rather than widening existing social and economic divides.
The initiative builds on the work of the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, which has helped shape global priorities around connectivity, digital inclusion and economic development. According to the organizers, the new Commission will extend that work by focusing specifically on AI governance, accessibility and responsible innovation.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin underscored the importance of international collaboration, saying:
“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.”
– Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General, ITU
The AI for Good Global Commission will hold its inaugural meeting during the AI for Good Global Summit 2026, scheduled for 7–10 July in Geneva, Switzerland. The summit forms part of Geneva’s Digital Week, which also includes the first UN-mandated Global Dialogue on AI Governance and the WSIS Forum 2026.
The Commission’s founding members include leaders from governments, international organizations and major technology companies such as Salesforce, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, MTN Group, Accenture, Anthropic, Grab, Vodafone, Orange, ZTE and Cohere, alongside representatives from the African Union, UNESCO, World Trade Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization and several national governments.
