President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, has been appointed as one of the Co-Chairs of the new United Nations Global Commission on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
President Kagame will serve in this role alongside Marc Benioff, Chief Executive Officer of the technology company Salesforce.
These appointments were made through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which established this new UN commission dedicated to Artificial Intelligence.
The commission aims to strengthen trust in AI technology, broaden access to it, and accelerate its positive impact in addressing major global challenges in areas including health, education, climate change, and reducing inequality.
This new UN AI Commission was officially launched in early July 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, during the AI for Good Global Summit.
Expert in communications and media, Dr. Guy Karema, who also serves as Head of the Media and Communications Division of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), commented on the appointment, saying: “Rwanda, a pioneer in Africa with a national AI policy adopted in 2023 and the organization of the first African AI Summit in 2025, thus emerges as a key player in international reflection on the responsible use of emerging technologies.”
Dr. Karema added: “This appointment highlights the commitment to integrating the voice of the Global South into global AI governance.”
The commission, which will hold its first official meeting from July 7 to 10, 2026, in Geneva, will focus on AI safety, reducing the digital divide, with nearly 2.2 billion people still without internet access, and international cooperation. While the commission has no binding powers, it will issue recommendations and voluntary commitments.
President Kagame’s appointment reinforces the growing role being given to Africa in shaping the future of Artificial Intelligence and its potential to transform societies.
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