“AI in education: intergenerational cooperation for responsible digital future”
Young people from around the world,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honoured to join you at the IGF 2024 Global Youth Summit.
Your focus on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on education is both vital and encouraging. It reflects your understanding of the transformative challenges and opportunities that AI presents our future.
It is also heartening to see decision-makers collaborating with you, recognizing the critical role of young people in shaping these discussions.
I am truly inspired by the remarkable leadership and spirit of cooperation that you have demonstrated through the IGF Youth Track.
It has facilitated invaluable cross-regional dialogue and learning.
Along with this Global Youth Summit, the Youth Track sends a powerful message to the world that uniting across generations is essential.
Only together can we meaningfully address the issues reshaping the foundations of our digital society.
As we come together today to discuss the impact of AI on education, let us remember that education is a fundamental human right, enshrined in the Universal Declaration.
It is our shared responsibility to ensure that AI supports this right, rather than undermine it.
There are good examples around us.
In Morocco, AI is helping to reduce learning disparities in rural areas.
In France, AI is helping visually impaired students to read by converting digital information into haptic feedback.
In Brazil, AI-powered natural language processing is improving literacy.
In India, AI-driven voice-assisted education tools are fostering language inclusion.
And, in the UK, AI is being used to convert complex documents into easy-to-read formats in over 70 languages, enhancing accessibility for learners with diverse needs.
But a digital divide hampers the potential of others to build on these good practices. A third of the global population is not connected to the Internet.
The United Nations has been given a mandate to right this wrong.
The recently adopted Global Digital Compact calls for action to foster international partnerships that build AI capacity through education and training, and expand access to open AI models, systems, and training data.
Today’s summit provides a platform for multistakeholder, intergenerational dialogue on AI.
I believe it will help identify a path towards an ethical digital future where we leverage AI to help guarantee that every individual has access to quality education, regardless of their background.
I wish you successful discussions.
Thank you.