The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24), currently being held in New Delhi, is focused on the development of global standards for key technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). Organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the conference is setting priorities for the next four years of standardization efforts, covering areas such as AI, the metaverse, quantum technologies, and digital infrastructure.
As the conference enters its second week, discussions have emphasized the need for comprehensive AI standards that align with the Global Digital Compact, a framework endorsed by the United Nations to ensure that AI technology benefits all of humanity. The Global Digital Compact was adopted at the UN General Assembly last month and is backed by international bodies such as the G20 and the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin stressed the importance of translating these broad principles into actionable standards that promote fairness and responsibility in AI use.
With over 100 AI-related standards already published and more than 150 currently in development, ITU is heavily involved in shaping AI applications across multiple sectors. These standards are being applied to network orchestration, multimedia coding, and enhancing the energy efficiency of data centers, while also supporting advancements in climate action, healthcare, agriculture, and disaster response.
The first International AI Standards Summit, held during the initial week of WTSA-24, concluded with the AI for Good Impact India event, launching a new series of regional AI forums. This summit was a joint effort by ITU, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), who are collaborating on various AI initiatives, including a database for AI standards and tools for deepfake detection and AI watermarking. These initiatives are part of a broader collaboration to ensure that AI technologies are developed safely and inclusively.
Additionally, WTSA-24 saw the launch of the Young AI Leaders Community, targeting AI experts aged 18 to 30 to spearhead regional AI initiatives. This effort is part of the broader AI for Good Impact Initiative, which also includes AI skills development programs and innovation challenges. ITU is further expanding its engagement with young innovators through the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge, which held its first national championship in India and will culminate in a global competition at the AI for Good Global Summit in 2025.
The conference also saw the release of the AI for Good Impact Report, produced in partnership with Deloitte. This report outlines global trends in AI investment, governance, and skills development, and highlights the role AI can play in advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
