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REGULATORY NEWS

United Nations Adopts Global AI Resolution

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a draft in compliance with international human rights law”, urging “the
resolution designed to ensure the use and development of AI same rights that people have offline must also be protected online,
align with human rights values, a step it hopes will prevent including throughout the life cycle of AI systems”. Linda Thomas-
fragmentation of ethical frameworks governing the technology. Greenfield, US Ambassador to the UN, said the resolution “lays
The UN news agency revealed the non-binding resolution was the groundwork for AI systems that leave no one behind”. Last
agreed and adopted without a vote, with the document proposed week, the European Parliament approved a provisional, binding
by the US and backed by more than 120 member states. Adoption law governing use of AI in the continent.
of the AI resolution is expected to complement other UN efforts
to meet broader global development goals, including promoting
digital transformation and narrowing the technology divide. In
the draft, the General Assembly explained the resolution can be a
guiding principle for the “human-centric” use of AI that protects
“the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedom for
all”. The document also noted “improper or malicious” design
and deployment of AI systems, including those contradicting
international law, would hinder progress towards achieving global
development targets. The UN news body reported the General
Assembly called on all member states and stakeholders to
withdraw or cease the use of AI “that are impossible to operate

ITU Announces $9 Billion Connectivity Funding Commitments

affordable network connectivity and digital services across
countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. There’s also a
commitment of over US$1.4 billion from China Telecom to roll
out fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), providing high-quality information
and communication services to over 80 million people in remote
administrative villages across China. US$1.1 billion comes
from Qatar-based multinational telecommunications company
Ooredoo for connectivity in developing markets ranging from
North Africa to the Indian Ocean. In addition, US$600 million will
come from multinational telecommunication services company
Veon for building the infrastructure of Ukraine, in order to aid
the provision of connectivity and digital services essential to the
reconstruction of the country. According to data from ITU, 2.6
billion people remain offline worldwide. ITU has called for US$100
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin has announced billion in overall investments by 2026 to provide the expertise and
over US$9 billion in investment commitments from mobile resources required to extend universal, meaningful connectivity
operator groups to extend global connectivity. The announcement and sustainable digital transformation to every corner of the globe.
was made at MWC 2024. The new industry commitments raise to In addition to infrastructure, Partner2Connect commitments can
over US$46 billion the total current value of planned investment support other critical needs including building digital skills and
in infrastructure, services and support to ITU's Partner2Connect increasing digital inclusion. The new commitments from e&, China
Digital Coalition Partner2Connect was launched by ITU in Telecom, Ooredoo and VEON are expected to be implemented over
September 2021 to engage all stakeholders to mobilize and the next two to five years. Alongside the new commitments, the
announce new resources, partnerships and commitments for UN Digital Agency also announced that it now has over 1,000
universal and meaningful connectivity globally. The commitments industry, academia and organizational members in addition to
announced at MWC include US$6 billion from technology group its 193 Member States. This milestone marks the largest, most
e& (Etisalat and) between 2024 and 2026 for accessible and diverse membership in the agency's history.
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