Government officials and experts from over a dozen countries gathered in Shanghai this week for a United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)-affiliated workshop aimed at narrowing the global artificial intelligence (AI) skills gap. The event, hosted at the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, brought together representatives from Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, Zambia, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and European nations to explore practical applications of AI in critical sectors.
Through a mix of academic sessions, site visits, and roundtable discussions, participants examined China's advancements in deploying AI solutions for healthcare innovation, educational equity, and sustainable development. The program aligns with both the UN General Assembly's resolution on strengthening international AI cooperation and China's Global AI Capacity Building Initiative launched earlier this year.
'This knowledge exchange helps developing nations harness AI's potential while addressing ethical concerns,' noted a UNIDO coordinator during the closing session. Business analysts highlight the workshop's focus on transferable technologies that could boost agricultural efficiency and medical diagnostics in emerging markets.
For Asian diaspora communities, the event underscores technological developments in their home countries, while academics point to new opportunities for cross-border research partnerships. The outcomes are expected to influence policy frameworks for responsible AI adoption across the Global South.
