Amandeep Singh Gill (right), United Nations undersecretary-general and special envoy for digital and emerging technologies, interacts with another guest during the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance on Saturday in Shanghai. GAO ERQIANG/CHINA DAILY
Isabel Alicia Iturria Caamano, vice-president of Venezuela’s Council of Ministers, made the remarks at the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, which was held on Saturday in Shanghai as part of the 2026 World AI Conference.
Caamano noted that AI-powered tools and multimodal models could automatically identify and categorize damaged structures, support the timely deployment of rescue personnel and improve disaster management.
Her speech highlighted an important question facing global AI governance: how to turn technological advances into practical, accessible solutions for countries in need.
Saturday’s meeting brought together senior representatives from around 80 countries and international organizations to share experience and build consensus on AI development and governance.
Alexander De Croo, administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, said that AI should be viewed not as a replacement for human intelligence, but as a tool that strengthens human capabilities.
What matters, he said, is whether AI can help doctors make better diagnoses, farmers improve forecasts, teachers educate children more effectively and governments deliver better public services.
De Croo, however, pointed out that AI adoption is advancing faster than institutional readiness in many countries. Rather than slowing technological development, the international community should help countries strengthen institutions, build capacity and invest in people, so that they can benefit from the technology, he said.
Maxim Oreshkin, deputy chief of staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, highlighted the importance of education in preparing people for an AI-driven world.
He said that it was no longer enough to merely transfer knowledge, people must also learn continuously, think critically, work with data and make responsible decisions.
Oreshkin described the signing on Thursday of the agreement on establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization as an important practical step, expressing his hope that the China-proposed organization would become an effective mechanism for joint work, delivering concrete projects and measurable results.
Mahefa Andriamampiadana, Madagascar’s minister of digital development, digital transformation, posts and telecommunications, said on the sidelines of Saturday’s meeting that inadequate infrastructure and limited access to technology remain major obstacles for developing countries.
Madagascar wants to be a co-creator of AI solutions, rather than merely a consumer, he said, adding that his country has explored AI-based forecasting tools to improve the safety of fishermen and support agriculture, but it still faces difficulties in building its own digital infrastructure.
Mario Nobile, director-general of the Agency for Digital Italy, a technical agency of Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers, said that making AI accessible to people worldwide would require more data centers, reliable energy supplies and other infrastructure. To ensure that no one is left behind, countries must create the conditions needed for broad access to the technology, he added.
On Friday, China announced that over the next five years, it will provide 5,000 AI training opportunities for developing countries, establish international AI application cooperation centers with several regional organizations and promote an AI-powered meteorological early-warning solution in 30 countries.
China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin said at Saturday’s meeting that “as a responsible major country, China stands ready to work with the international community and make sustained efforts and positive contributions to advance global AI governance”.
The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization would provide more international public goods, support capacity building in the Global South, help bridge the digital and AI divide, and ensure that AI truly benefits people in all countries, he said.
Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng said that developing AI is an important strategic mission for the city, which has hosted the World AI Conference for nine consecutive years.
Shanghai will vigorously promote the application of AI across industries and sectors while contributing more deeply to the development of the global AI governance system with greater openness and a more forward-looking vision, he added.
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