Rome - During last month’s G7 Leaders Summit, the Italian G7 Presidency affirmed its commitment to establish an ‘AI Hub for Sustainable Development’ in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Today’s release of the first public report on the co-design of the hub lays out initial suggestions and consolidated feedback from local AI ecosystems in Africa.

Africa is at the threshold of a powerful Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution. Driven by a youthful population, dynamic tech ecosystems, and increasing connectivity, there is an enormous potential to develop and scale local solutions tailored to African contexts. To realize this potential for inclusive economic growth, collaborative effort is needed to propel responsible AI development across the continent.

As affirmed in the G7 Leaders’ Declaration, the hub aims to enable multi-stakeholder partnerships to support local AI digital ecosystems, strengthen capacities to advance AI for sustainable development, and complement existing initiatives including the AI for Development Donors Partnership.

The report highlights that the core foundations underpinning AI’s potential for sustainable development include data pipelines, green computational power, and talent. Accelerating responsible private sector innovation and partnerships in these areas is one of the hub’s primary goals. The hub will operate in tandem with governments and local ecosystems to ensure close collaboration with partners working on AI governance and its application locally. 

As the Italian G7 Presidency gears up to strengthen the ‘Digital Development: Growing Together’ agenda – a core priority of the G7 in 2024 with a focus on Africa – a new era of collective action has become possible. The hub highlights Italy's commitment to a partnership-based approach to collaborating with African nations and aims to foster equal cooperation and mutual benefits. 

Working alongside the G7, UNDP will continue to serve as a platform to foster new partnerships and investment from both the public and private sectors to ensure that AI is a catalyst for positive change across countries.

Download the report here to read more about the AI Hub for Sustainable Development.

About The Group of Seven (G7) 

The G7 is an intergovernmental political and economic forum. It plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues. The G7 Presidency is responsible for bringing together the G7 agenda in consultation with other members and in response to developments in the global economy. This publication was produced in 2024 as part of Italy’s G7 Presidency under the theme Digital Development: Growing Together.

About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP

For media inquiries:  

Giuseppe Stampegna, Minister’s Spokesperson and Head of the Press Office at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, giuseppe.stamegna@mise.gov.it

Dwayne Carruthers, Digital Transformation Communications and Advocacy Manager, UNDP’s Chief Digital Office, dwayne.carruthers@undp.org