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The United Nations – UN and the International Telecommunications Union – ITU are set to host a major global dialogue in Geneva, Switzerland, from July 6-7, 2026, aimed at addressing the profound social and economic realities driven by artificial intelligence.

Since AI captured massive global attention three and a half years ago, its rapid acceleration has consistently outpaced the ability of policymakers to keep up. This rapid evolution has left the global landscape deeply fragmented; while a few nations are racing ahead, many others are struggling to adjust or lagging behind without the knowledge of how to properly utilize the technology.

To bridge these growing divides, this event will serve as the first UN General Assembly-mandated Global Dialogue on AI Governance. Described by Co-Chair Rein Tammsaar as a “dialogue of the dialogues,” the forum intends to leverage the unique global reach of the UN to bring together governments, industry leaders, academia, civil society, and international organizations.

The initiative is technically supported by a joint secretariat consisting of the ITU, UNESCO, and the UN’s Office of Digital and Emerging Technologies – ODET, and it will run as part of a comprehensive Digital Week in Geneva alongside the annual AI for Good Global Summit and WSIS Forum.

The two-day conference will move away from abstract debates to tackle practical governance options across four main thematic clusters. These include examining AI’s societal and economic impacts, boosting capacity-building and bridging digital divides for developing countries, ensuring safe and trustworthy AI deployment, and safeguarding human rights.

By centering discussions on these core areas, organizers hope to establish interoperable governance approaches that foster responsible development while ensuring that the technology remains equitable on a global scale.

While acknowledging that AI holds massive potential to boost business productivity and solve critical global challenges like climate monitoring, healthcare, and financial inclusion, leaders emphasize that human oversight remains paramount. Co-Chair Tammsaar noted that regardless of the technical solutions designed, a human must always have the final word in AI systems.

Ultimately, the dialogue aims to ensure a comprehensive, inclusive approach where no country or critical issue is left behind as the world transitions into an AI-influenced future.