We Are More Than the AI Generation: We Are the Generation Determined to Shape Intelligence for the Greater Good
Dr. Bilel Jamoussi opened his keynote speech at the AI Forward Summit 2025 with a powerful statement, addressing a crowd of policymakers, diplomats, and international experts. His presentation, both historical and forward-looking, retraced the long journey that has led us to the society of intelligence today.
The Dawn of the Information Society
Dr. Jamoussi began by recalling the early days of the information society, which emerged with the advent of the Internet. "Tunisia was the first African country to connect to the Internet in 1991," he said with pride. South Africa followed, and gradually, other countries on the continent joined, with Eritrea being the last in 2000. In addition to this technical feat, Dr. Jamoussi emphasized that this period marked "the beginning of the global flow of information: first text, then audio, and finally video."
However, he noted that accessibility remains a crucial challenge: "Today, 2.2 billion people worldwide still lack access to the Internet." This observation highlights that the transition to a more equitable digital world remains incomplete.
The Creation of the World Summit on the Information Society
Dr. Jamoussi then discussed the creation of the World Summit on the Information Society, initiated by Tunisia in 1998, which later became an official United Nations event. This process allowed for the measurement of progress in connectivity, cybersecurity, and digital governance year after year.
The Emergence of AI
Dr. Jamoussi explained how the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) entered the era of artificial intelligence. Since 2017, the organization has seen a multitude of AI-related proposals emerge in its study groups. "AI has become a global topic, driven by states, the private sector, and research," he affirmed. In response, the ITU created the AI for Good Global Summit, which has become the central UN platform for discussing AI standards, governance, and skill development.
The Risks of AI
However, this technological revolution is not without risks. Among them are deepfakes, now classified as one of the most serious threats. "This is a major challenge: deepfakes can educate, but also manipulate and harm," he warned. That's why the ITU, along with the ISO and IEC, has produced reference reports on verification tools and content protection policies.
The Positive Potential of AI
To illustrate the positive potential of AI, Dr. Jamoussi shared several remarkable stories. First, the story of Louis, who suffered from locked-in syndrome and was able to "regain his voice thanks to a personalized vocal model coupled with a brain-machine interface." Then, the story of a paralyzed athlete who walked again for the first time thanks to an AI-powered exoskeleton. He also showed robots capable of defying gravity, fully automated factories producing 800 cars per day, and the emergence of AI agents capable of "acting on our behalf and performing transactions autonomously."
The AI for Good Movement
Dr. Jamoussi then placed these examples within the broader context of the AI for Good movement, which brings together over 50 UN agencies. The movement's deliverables include:
- A global coalition to develop skills
- Challenges for young people and universities
- A comprehensive compendium on AI governance
- A database of 700 global standards, translated into the six official languages of the United Nations
Conclusion
Finally, Dr. Jamoussi shared a clear message, inspired by the ITU Secretary-General: "Artificial intelligence should not divide us; it should bring us closer together." And he issued a call to action: "Join us from July 7 to 10, 2026, in Geneva to build together an inclusive, ethical, and sustainable society of intelligence."
