Digital@UNGA 2026 calls for inclusive AI governance

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) convened the Digital@UNGA 2026 platform alongside the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Under the theme of a ‘Digit’all Future,’ the initiative calls for broader participation from governments, businesses, and civil society to shape the trajectory of artificial intelligence and digital technology.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU, emphasized that the rapid acceleration of AI necessitates a wider range of voices to participate in decisions regarding the digital environment. The program focuses on three core pillars: innovation to solve real-world problems, inclusion to provide agency to individuals, and cooperation to build collective capabilities for managing technological change.

Discussions at the event highlighted the urgent need for practical approaches to AI. Rather than focusing on extreme scenarios of zero regulation or existential extinction, speakers advocated for addressing immediate risks such as deepfake disinformation, cybersecurity threats, and the potential for AI to undermine vital infrastructure. The platform aims to move from theoretical ideas to concrete actions that ensure people are active participants in, rather than just beneficiaries of, digital transformation.