President Paul Kagame will co-chair the inaugural meeting of a newly established United Nations-backed commission on artificial intelligence this week in Geneva, as world leaders and technology executives seek to promote the responsible use of AI and ensure developing countries benefit from the rapidly evolving technology.
The AI for Good Global Commission was established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with UNESCO. Its first meeting will take place during the AI for Good Global Summit, which runs from July 7 to July 10 as part of the U.N.’s Digital Week.
Kagame will serve as co-chair alongside Salesforce Chair and CEO Marc Benioff. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin will serve as vice chair.
The commission brings together more than 40 leaders from governments, international organizations, academia and the private sector to develop practical recommendations on how artificial intelligence can support sustainable development and help address global challenges.
Its mandate includes expanding access to AI, strengthening public trust in the technology, supporting countries in building AI capacity and ensuring that developing nations are not left behind as AI transforms economies and societies.
Speaking after his appointment, Kagame said technology should continue to be “a force for good” and called for stronger international cooperation to reduce inequality and ensure more people benefit from AI-driven innovation.
Benioff said artificial intelligence has enormous potential to drive economic growth but stressed that public trust will be essential if the technology is to achieve its full potential.
Rather than serving as a regulatory body, the commission will promote international dialogue on AI, support the development of technical standards and help countries strengthen their capacity to develop and deploy the technology responsibly.
The commission builds on the work of the U.N. Broadband Commission, which promoted global internet connectivity between 2010 and 2025. According to the commission, about 2.2 billion people worldwide still lack internet access, most of them in developing countries, particularly in Africa. Closing that digital gap is one of the commission’s key priorities.
The commission includes senior executives from Microsoft, Amazon, NVIDIA, Google, Qualcomm, Vodafone, MTN Group and Accenture, as well as representatives of the African Union, UNESCO, the World Trade Organization and governments including Rwanda, Nigeria, Namibia, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Estonia and Iceland.
Kagame’s appointment underscores Rwanda’s growing role in global discussions on artificial intelligence. The country adopted a national AI policy and hosted Africa’s first continental AI summit in 2025.
On June 8, Rwanda’s Cabinet approved the establishment of a National Artificial Intelligence Office to accelerate innovation, attract investment and strengthen digital governance.
Artificial intelligence is already being used in Rwanda across sectors including healthcare, education, agriculture, justice, commerce and public administration as the country seeks to expand the use of digital technologies to improve public services and support economic development.
