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Artificial Intelligence (AI) features among key issues being considered by the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24). This is so even as it prepares for its second week in New Delhi, India.
RELATED: ITU Forum highlights need for urgent action on digital skills development
Now midway through its work, WTSA-24 will determine the course of action for the next four years of standards development for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
WTSA is the governing conference for the standardization work of ITU, the UN Agency for Digital Technologies.
Alongside reviewing mandates of expert groups, the conference is considering priorities for standards work on various topics. They range from AI and metaverse to quantum information technologies and digital public infrastructure as it runs through 24 October
Acting on global AI priorities
The Global Digital Compact was adopted at the UN General Assembly last month. It provides a framework for countries and industries to ensure that AI benefits all of humanity.
This framework emphasizes the need for comprehensive and impactful AI standards. Similar calls have been made by the G20 and the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI.
“AI standards can build trust, safety, and a level playing field for innovation for people across India, the region, and around the world,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “The need of the hour is to turn broad principles into clear and implementable standards. Ultimately, this is to ensure that AI works for everyone — responsibly and fairly.”
ITU has already published over 100 standards on AI. Over 150 more are under development.
ITU standards are supporting new AI applications in network orchestration and multimedia coding. Also, they are optimizing the energy and cost efficiency of networks and data centres. In addition, they are amplifying AI-enabled breakthroughs in different areas. These include climate action and agriculture to disaster response, healthcare, and road safety.
“New technologies are creating new connections between all industries,” said Seizo Onoe, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. “AI is accelerating this trend dramatically, highlighting why ITU is so invested in building bridges between different areas of expertise.”
Longstanding partners working on AI standards
The first International AI Standards Summit – aimed at accelerating standards development for responsible, safe, and inclusive AI – closed the first week of WTSA-24 activities with AI for Good Impact India, kicking off a new series of regional AI for Good events.​
The standards summit is organized by the leading developers of international standards. These are ITU, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
ITU, ISO and IEC are leading a new AI and Multimedia Authenticity Standards Collaboration. These standards include AI watermarking and deepfake detection. Announced in May at this year’s AI for Good Global Summit, the initiative welcomes all standards bodies addressing this key challenge.
The three organisations are also collaborating to develop an AI standards database in support of cohesive AI standards development and implementation. These constitute a key priority for the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, Amandeep Singh Gill.
Expanding the drive on AI capacity development
The new Young AI Leaders Community was announced at AI for Good Impact India. It is inviting AI experts from 18 to 30 years old to lead the development of six regional hubs for the community.
The community is the latest addition to ITU’s AI for Good Impact Initiative, following the launch of a new AI Skills Coalition last month. The initiative’s flagship programmes also include Global AI Challenges and the AI for Good Innovation Factory and associated Startup Acceleration Programme.
On Thursday, the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge for innovators between 11 and18 years old hosted the finals of India’s championship, the first of 25 national championships to culminate in a world cup at the AI for Good Global Summit 2025.
ITU has also released the AI for Good Impact Report, highlighting worldwide trends in AI investment, governance, and skills development. The report is prepared in partnership with Deloitte. It focuses on how AI can drive progress on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
