Summary of the keynote address by Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), at the May 26, 2025 luncheon debate of the Swiss Forum for International Politics on “Bridging the digital divide in the AI era”, in collaboration with the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce.
As ITU marks its 160th anniversary, Ms. Bogdan-Martin reflected on the UN agency’s mission to connect the world, emphasizing the urgent need to harness emerging technologies for inclusion rather than exacerbating inequalities.
- 160 years of global connectivity
The ITU Secretary-General shared the story of ITU’s founding in 1865, when 20 nations gathered in Paris to standardize telegraphy and facilitate international communications. She emphasized that ITU’s origins were built not just on technological innovation but on the need for collaboration—a principle that continues to guide the organization today. Over the decades, ITU has played a pivotal role in shaping the backbone of global communications, from radio to satellites, broadband, Wi-Fi, and now artificial intelligence.
This mission has led to historic progress, with more people connected to the Internet today than ever before. Yet, 2.6 billion people—one-third of humanity—remain offline, while millions more lack the devices, skills, or resources needed to participate meaningfully in the digital world. Affordability issues and growing cybersecurity concerns further exacerbate this divide, making ITU’s work more critical than ever.
- AI must be a tool for inclusion, not exclusion
As AI is revolutionizing every aspect of life—transforming healthcare, public services, education, and even addressing planetary challenges, Ms. Bogdan-Martin called for focused efforts to ensure AI bridges divides rather than deepening them. Currently, just 10 countries dominate AI-related patents and research, while training data often reflects the realities of developed nations, leaving others behind.
Through initiatives like Giga, which uses AI and satellite mapping to connect schools – and which operates from their Connectivity Centre in Geneva – progress is being made. Over 2.3 million schools have been mapped, with more than 10,000 connected in 41 countries. Meanwhile, ITU’s AI Skills Coalition is addressing the global skills gap with free training programs aimed at equipping 10,000 learners this year alone. These efforts show how AI can be harnessed to empower communities and foster inclusion.
- Driving progress with investment and standards
Closing the digital divide in the AI era demands more than skills and connectivity—it requires substantial investment. ITU’s Digital Infrastructure Investment Initiative estimates USD 1.6 trillion is needed for infrastructure alone. Through the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition, ITU has mobilized USD 73 billion in over 1,000 pledges to advance universal connectivity.
The Secretary-General stressed the parallel importance of standards and responsible governance to ensure AI technologies serve humanity and sustainable development. ITU’s collaborative approach has resulted in a wide range of AI standards in development, focusing on energy efficiency, transparency, and trustworthiness.
Ms. Bogdan-Martin concluded her keynote by reaffirming ITU’s 160-year mission to advance technology for humanity. She called for investments in infrastructure, skills, standards, and governance to shape an inclusive AI-powered future where no one is left behind.