Collaboration is key to ensuring equitable access to AI’s benefits, International Telecommunication Union and Deloitte advise in new report

Deloitte, in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) International Telecommunication Union (ITU), released the AI for Good Impact Report , which aims to empower leaders with the knowledge to enhance Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance and applications to promote social good and drive sustainable, inclusive development. The comprehensive analysis explores how AI can be leveraged to advance each of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) and underscores the critical role of ethical AI implementation to help ensure its benefits are universally shared.

Developed for government officials, policymakers, non-governmental organizations, international development organizations, and industry leaders, the report not only examines challenges associated with AI and its responsible integration, but also provides established and emerging good practices from around the world, insights into current progress, and practical examples of the real-world impact of AI solutions.

“Despite being off track to achieve the SDGs by 2030, some studies suggest that digital technologies, including AI, could positively influence 70% of these goals, demonstrating their immense potential to drive positive change and help realign our trajectory toward achieving them,” says Costi Perricos, Generative AI leader, Deloitte Global. “To ensure the responsible use of AI, address its diverse challenges, and fully harness its considerable promise in a manner that benefits everyone equitably, robust collaboration across the public and private sectors, as well as civil society, will be essential.”

Potential of AI in driving positive change

Currently, nearly 400 projects across the UN system are using AI, impacting all 17 SDGs and helping drive progress in critical areas such as healthcare, education, climate change, and accessibility. All of these projects are discoverable through an interactive portal on the AI for Good United Nations AI Actions webpage.

According to Deloitte research, mirroring the broader global sentiment, 94% of business leaders worldwide view AI as critical for an organization’s overall success over the next five years. With GenAI, 76% of organizations are increasing investments because they have seen strong value to date.

 AI’s power does come with challenges, including ethical concerns such as bias and privacy, social disruptions like misinformation and job displacement, technical matters like data quality and interpretability, and the overall imbalanced development between the Global North and Global South. Hence, the AI for Good Impact Report offers a comprehensive look at the common themes in AI governance frameworks highlighting the commitment to ethical principles, human rights, transparency, accountability, and safeguards in the development and deployment of AI systems. These themes reflect shared concerns and objectives in AI’s governance aiming to prioritize the well-being, security, and ethical use of AI while fostering innovation and economic growth.

Advancing global AI research for the greater good

Since 2017, ITU has been leading the UN’s “AI for Good” initiative. By uniting AI innovators, experts, and stakeholders across governments, academia, industry, and civil society, the initiative serves as a critical platform and resource hub for knowledge-sharing, innovation and collaboration, ultimately helping to scale effective AI solutions globally.

“We are at a turning point in the history of humanity and technology,” said ITU Secretary General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “This AI for Good Impact Report is a call to action to harness AI as a force for good in support of the SDGs and for all humanity.”

The AI for Good Impact Report leverages Deloitte research—such as its 2024 State of GenAI in the Enterprise Q3 report and 2024 Global Human Capital Trends report—to help provide a comprehensive understanding of AI’s transformative potential and significant risks, including ethical concerns, social disruptions, and technical challenges. Beyond the involvement in the Impact Report, Deloitte also sponsored the 2024 AI for Good Global Summit in May, which brought together more than 35,000 participants, in-person and online, to identify practical applications of AI to advance health, climate, gender, inclusive prosperity, sustainable infrastructure, and other global development priorities.

A call to action for global leaders

Governments, businesses, and society should work together to steer AI toward advancing social good rather than causing harm. According to the report, governments and policymakers can help ensure AI initiatives are ethical, inclusive and effective, by:

• Developing a cohesive framework that integrates AI policies, governance and ethical standards
• Augmenting AI skills and knowledge through capacity building and education
• Promoting responsible AI investment
• Encouraging inclusive, innovative and representative data
• Facilitating collaboration between governments, the private sector and civil society
• Ensuring AI safety, security and human rights
• Fostering public awareness and build trust through education
• Bolstering sustainable AI development

To dive deeper into AI’s challenges and opportunities and learn more about the AI for Good Impact Report, please visit the landing page here.

About ITU

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies, driving innovation together with 193 Member States and a membership of over 1,000 companies, universities, and international and regional organizations. Established in 1865, it is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based earth monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world. Learn more: www.itu.int

About Deloitte

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”). DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firm and related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of each other. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.

Deloitte provides industry-leading audit and assurance, tax and legal, consulting, financial advisory, and risk advisory services to nearly 90% of the Fortune Global 500® and thousands of private companies. Our people deliver measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in capital markets, enable clients to transform and thrive, and lead the way toward a stronger economy, a more equitable society, and a sustainable world. Building on its 175-plus year history, Deloitte spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 460,000 people worldwide make an impact that matters at www.deloitte.com