Almost 20 United Nations (UN) entities joined forces during UN Virtual Worlds Day to urge governments, civil society, academia and the private sector to harness the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) powered virtual worlds to drive development that works for all.
The call-to-action outlines 12 priorities – from expanding connectivity to promoting responsible use of emerging technologies – to ensure that no one is left behind in the fast-evolving digital era.
The transformative power of digital twins and AI-enabled virtual environments
A two-day global forum brought together leaders, innovators and changemakers from around the world to spotlight how emerging technologies such as digital twins and AI-enabled virtual environments are reshaping governance, education, agriculture, health, climate resilience and cities.
The event highlighted the importance of interagency cooperation and demonstrated the growing momentum across the UN system to foster shared innovation, global standards and inclusive digital ecosystems.
The call-to-action emphasizes the need to empower people through digital public infrastructure, promoting responsible and transparent use of AI, protecting environmental sustainability and cultural heritage and fostering digital skills and innovation.
The priorities directly respond to the Pact for the Future, adopted at the 2024 UN Summit of the Future, and support the implementation of its Global Digital Compact and Declaration for Future Generations as well as the World Summit on the Information Society+20 (WSIS+20) process beyond 2025.
The priorities also offer concrete proposals to inform the 2025 Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2), which aims to accelerate action on poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, and social inclusion.
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Putting people at the center of digital transformation
“As AI and virtual worlds transform how we connect, learn and innovate, we must ensure no one is left behind,” said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). “This edition of UN Virtual Worlds Day shows what’s possible when we come together to ensure digital spaces truly work across the globe for all people.”
Virtual worlds, underpinned by AI, open new frontiers for collaboration, innovation and global good, added Sameer Chauhan, director of the UN International Computing Centre (UNICC). “Our work ensures governments and cities have the tools to harness immersive technologies for inclusive, ethical transformation.”
The initiative puts people at the center of digital transformation, bridging innovation with equity and ensuring that technology advances sustainable development and social justice, said Magdalena Sepúlveda, executive director of the UN Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
“AI, virtual reality and immersive technologies are unlocking bold new frontiers in skills development, employment and lifelong learning,” added Christophe Perrin, director of the International Labour Organization (ILO). “By investing in inclusive and adaptive digital learning ecosystems, we enable people everywhere to thrive in a fast-changing world."
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