Professor Jerry John Kponyo, Principal Investigator of the Responsible AI Lab (RAIL) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has been invited to speak at two high-level United Nations events focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On May 6, 2025, Prof. Kponyo will serve as a panellist at a special meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for the SDGs”, which will convene global leaders to explore how AI can accelerate sustainable development, reduce digital divides, and promote inclusive innovation, particularly in the Global South.
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He will contribute to the session on “Building Foundations for AI in the Global South”, sharing insights from his work at RAIL KNUST in developing ethical, context-specific AI solutions for Africa.
This special ECOSOC meeting precedes the 10th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum), taking place from May 7–8.
Prof. Kponyo will also speak at the Forum on May 7 in Session 1: “Making Artificial Intelligence Accessible, Inclusive and Beneficial for All.”
The session, chaired by H.E. Ms. Elina Kalkku, Permanent Representative of Finland to the UN, will explore actionable pathways to democratise AI, reduce global inequalities, and support economic and human development through inclusive policies, innovation, and ethical governance.
The STI Forum session will feature practical examples of AI improving health care, workplace safety, job creation, and entrepreneurial ecosystems, especially in developing countries.
It will also highlight national capacity-building models and funding mechanisms aimed at making AI tools more accessible and impactful.
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six main organs of the UN, responsible for shaping global economic, social, and environmental policy. The STI Forum serves as a key platform for facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue on harnessing science, technology, and innovation to meet the SDGs.
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