by Baraka Matinde Magabe
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the defining technologies of the twenty-first century, with the potential to transform economies, public services, and human development. At the same time, AI raises profound questions about human rights, equity, accountability, and international cooperation. Against this backdrop, the inaugural United Nations Global AI Dialogue (UNGDAI), held in Geneva alongside the AI for Good Global Summit and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20), represented an important milestone in shaping a more coordinated global approach to AI governance.
The Dialogue brought together governments, international organizations, academia, civil society, technical experts, and the private sector to discuss how AI can advance sustainable development while remaining safe, secure, trustworthy, and firmly grounded in human rights. The conversations demonstrated that no single country or institution can govern AI alone. Instead, inclusive multistakeholder cooperation must become the foundation of global AI governance.
One of the strongest messages emerging from the Dialogue was that AI governance should not focus solely on managing risks. Equally important is ensuring that countries, particularly those in the Global South, can benefit from AI innovation. Too often, discussions on AI governance are dominated by concerns originating in technologically advanced economies, while the priorities of developing countries receive comparatively less attention. For many African countries, including Tanzania, the immediate challenge is not only regulating advanced AI systems but also creating the enabling conditions necessary for responsible AI adoption. These include digital infrastructure, affordable internet connectivity, access to computing resources, quality datasets, research funding, and a skilled workforce.
Throughout the discussions, participants repeatedly emphasized that AI must contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) rather than deepen existing inequalities. This perspective is especially relevant for Africa, where AI holds tremendous potential across healthcare, education, agriculture, disaster preparedness, financial inclusion, and public administration. Our own work illustrates this: AkiliCheck, an AI tool for mental health screening, and Kitabu Smart, an AI-powered education platform built for Tanzania. However, realizing these opportunities requires substantial investment in digital public infrastructure and local innovation ecosystems.
Tanzania offers a practical illustration of both the opportunities and challenges facing many developing countries. The country has made notable progress in expanding digital government services and promoting innovation through initiatives led by the Ministry responsible for Information and Communication Technologies, universities, research institutions, and technology hubs. Discussions around developing a National AI Strategy also indicate growing recognition that AI should become part of Tanzania’s broader digital transformation agenda.
In agriculture, AI-powered technologies can assist farmers by predicting weather patterns, detecting crop diseases, and improving productivity through precision farming. Such innovations could strengthen food security while supporting the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers. Similarly, AI applications in healthcare can support disease surveillance, diagnostic assistance, and more efficient allocation of limited medical resources, particularly in rural communities where healthcare professionals remain scarce.
These opportunities cannot be separated from questions of governance. During the Dialogue, participants highlighted that AI systems must respect human dignity, privacy, transparency, accountability, and non-discrimination. These principles are especially important in contexts where institutional capacity and regulatory frameworks are still evolving.
One of the most valuable aspects of the UNGDAI was its explicit recognition that AI governance should be rooted in international human rights standards. This aligns closely with the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ repeated calls for AI to remain firmly under human control and to advance, rather than undermine, fundamental rights and freedoms. Discussions also reflected ongoing work under the Global Digital Compact and the establishment of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, both of which seek to strengthen evidence-based international cooperation on AI governance.
An issue that deserves greater prominence in future dialogues is the protection of children in AI-enabled environments. Across many countries, children increasingly interact with AI-powered
educational platforms, recommendation algorithms, Chabots, and generative AI systems. While these technologies offer enormous educational opportunities, they also expose children to misinformation, manipulation, privacy violations, and harmful content. Future global AI governance efforts should therefore integrate the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into AI policy development, ensuring that children’s best interests remain central to technological innovation.
Another important reflection concerns stakeholder representation. The Dialogue successfully brought together diverse participants from governments, international organizations, civil society, academia, and industry. However, meaningful inclusion extends beyond attendance. Voices from Africa, least developed countries, youth organizations, indigenous communities, and smaller civil society institutions should be given greater opportunities to shape agendas rather than simply respond to them. AI governance will only be globally legitimate if those most affected by technological change actively participate in designing its future.
As the Dialogue moves into its intersessional phase, priority should shift from discussion toward implementation. Future work should focus on practical collaboration that enables countries to translate principles into action. Capacity-building programmes, technical assistance, research partnerships, open knowledge-sharing platforms, and South-South cooperation can help bridge existing AI divides. International organizations should also support countries in developing context-specific AI governance frameworks rather than encouraging one-size-fits-all regulatory models.
Coalition building emerged as another important theme. The Dialogue demonstrated that sustainable AI governance depends on long-term partnerships among governments, universities, civil society organizations, regional institutions, and the private sector. Bodies such as the Global Network Initiative (GNI), UNESCO, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), alongside African institutions including the Tanzania ICT Commission (ICTC) and CAIMSA, can play complementary roles — supporting responsible innovation while facilitating policy dialogue across regions.
Participation in international AI governance should not be viewed merely as representation but as an opportunity to contribute knowledge, innovation, and local experience to global policymaking. African researchers are developing AI solutions for local languages, climate adaptation, agriculture, healthcare, and financial inclusion that provide valuable lessons for the wider international community. Global governance discussions should therefore recognize Africa not only as a beneficiary of AI but also as an active contributor to its future.
The first United Nations Global AI Dialogue should be remembered not simply as another international conference but as the beginning of a more inclusive global conversation about AI governance. Its greatest achievement was bringing together diverse stakeholders around a shared recognition that AI must serve humanity, promote sustainable development, and respect universal human rights. Yet dialogue alone is insufficient. Success will ultimately be measured by whether these conversations translate into concrete actions that strengthen institutional capacity, reduce global inequalities, promote responsible innovation, and ensure that no country is left behind in the AI era.
The next phase of the UNGDAI presents an opportunity to move decisively from dialogue to delivery. By prioritizing equitable access, meaningful multistakeholder participation, human rights, and capacity building, the international community can build an AI governance ecosystem that reflects both global principles and local realities. For Tanzania, Africa, and the wider Global South, this represents not only an opportunity to shape the future of AI but also a responsibility to ensure that technological progress contributes to inclusive, sustainable, and human-centred development.
Recommendation
Strengthen AI Capacity in Developing Countries, Promote Human Rights-Based AI Governance, Increase Meaningful Representation of the Global South, Encourage Responsible AI Innovation, Foster International Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing, Prioritize AI for Sustainable Development
Way forward
As MAP AI and the UN Global AI Dialogue enters its intersessional phase, the focus should shift from broad discussions toward measurable implementation. Future work should prioritize developing practical guidance, supporting national AI governance frameworks, expanding technical assistance, and monitoring progress through transparent reporting mechanisms.
For Tanzania, the way forward involves finalizing and implementing a comprehensive National AI Strategy that aligns with international human rights standards while addressing national development priorities. Investments in digital infrastructure, AI education, local language technologies, and research institutions will be critical for ensuring that AI contributes to inclusive economic growth. Universities, innovation hubs, civil society organizations, and the private sector should work closely with government institutions to develop AI solutions tailored to Tanzania’s unique social and economic context.
At the continental level, African countries should strengthen regional cooperation through the African Union and other regional platforms to promote harmonized AI governance principles, shared research initiatives, and cross-border capacity-building programmes. A coordinated African voice will increase the continent’s influence in global AI policymaking and ensure that African priorities are reflected in international governance frameworks.
The success of the UN Global AI Dialogue should not be measured solely by the number of meetings held or declarations adopted, but by its ability to catalyze meaningful action. Progress will depend on sustained political commitment, adequate investment, inclusive stakeholder participation, and continuous international collaboration. If these elements are maintained, the Dialogue can evolve into a lasting platform that ensures AI serves humanity, advances sustainable development, protects human rights, and leaves no country behind in the digital age.
About the Author
Baraka Matinde Magabe is a Tanzanian development practitioner, AI governance advocate, and Master’s candidate in Development Studies at the University of Dodoma (UDOM). He is affiliated with the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Multidiscipline Solutions in Africa (CAIMSA), where he contributes to advancing responsible, inclusive, and human-centred AI governance across Africa. His work focuses on digital policy, AI ethics, human rights, sustainable development, and strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration to ensure that emerging technologies contribute to equitable socio-economic development. Baraka actively
participates in regional and international policy dialogues, including the IGF, India AI summit, United Nations Global AI Dialogue (UNGDAI), AI for Good Global Summit, and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), advocating for stronger representation of Africa and the Global South in global AI governance.