President Paul Kagame has been appointed as co-chair of the AI for Good Global Commission, a United Nations initiative established under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The other co-chair is Marc Benioff, co-founder and chief executive of software company Salesforce. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin serves as the commission’s Vice-Chair.
Kagame is one of 44 founding members of the commission, which includes presidents Alar Karis of Estonia and Halla Tómasdóttir of Iceland, alongside leaders from governments, private companies, and international organisations.
According to the Rwandan presidency, Kagame will attend the commission’s inaugural meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, where delegates will discuss the future of artificial intelligence during ITU’s AI for Good Global Summit 2026, taking place from 7th to 10th July.
The commission was established by the United Nations through the ITU to bring together leaders from governments, businesses, and international organisations to address key questions surrounding the development and use of artificial intelligence.
The commission aims to identify practical approaches to strengthen trust in AI, support responsible innovation, and ensure that the benefits of the technology contribute to social and economic development worldwide.
A major focus of the commission will be on reducing digital inequalities. The ITU estimates that about 2.2 billion people worldwide remain offline, limiting their ability to benefit from advances in digital technologies, including AI.
The commission aims to ensure that artificial intelligence becomes a tool for addressing global challenges rather than widening existing inequalities, particularly for communities in developing countries.
The members will work on developing solutions to promote safe, inclusive, and responsible AI development, including strengthening international cooperation and expanding access to AI technologies.
Kagame’s appointment as co-chair places a prominent African leader at the forefront of global AI governance. Rwanda has positioned itself as a technology hub on the continent, with initiatives in digital identity, drone delivery, and AI research. The co-chair role is expected to give African perspectives a stronger voice in international discussions on AI regulation, ethics, and access.
For now, the commission’s work begins in Geneva, with delegates expected to set priorities for the coming years.
