Frederic Werner from ITU Set to Inspire at AIFOD Geneva Winter Summit 2023

The AI for Developing Countries Forum (AIFOD) proudly announces that Frederic Werner, representing the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)—the UN’s specialized agency for information and communication technologies—will be a key speaker at the upcoming AIFOD Geneva Winter Summit. As the Chief of Strategy and Operations for AI for Good, Werner spearheads a significant initiative within ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), the body responsible for developing global standards to ensure seamless connectivity and interoperability among networks and technologies.

Launched by ITU in 2017, this initiative is a collaborative effort that unites 40 UN entities, private sector leaders, and academic institutions to pinpoint AI-driven solutions that promote sustainable development. The initiative features impactful regional events, Innovation Factory start-up competitions, Machine Learning Hackathons, and International Standards Summits, all dedicated to furthering the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In his role at ITU-T, Werner is instrumental in fostering strategic partnerships and advancing pre-standardization initiatives through targeted focus groups. These specialized groups tackle urgent topics, including AI applications in health care in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), AI for natural disaster management alongside the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and AI in digital agriculture in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This work is vital for crafting evaluation frameworks for AI implementations across various sectors.

Through its dynamic webinar series and numerous events, AI for Good has engaged a diverse audience of 37,000 participants from 183 countries, promoting inclusive discussions on AI governance. The forum addresses essential issues such as ethical guidelines, accountability, and transparency in the development of AI technologies.

Werner’s extensive experience in cultivating multi-stakeholder partnerships perfectly complements AIFOD’s commitment to making AI advantages available to developing countries. His insights into ITU’s inclusive approach to AI development and international standardization will be invaluable.

The AIFOD Geneva Winter Summit stands as an important platform for dialogue on leveraging AI technologies to advance sustainable development while tackling the distinct challenges and prospects faced by developing nations.

For additional details about AI for Good, please visit: https://aiforgood.itu.int/