UNU Global AI Network Report 2025 on Multi-Stakeholder AI Collaboration: 72% Global South Membership Drives Ethical AI Governance
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
NITI Aayog | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
The 2025 report of the UNU (United Nations University) Global AI Network, highlights its initiatives, achievements, and goals in promoting the ethical and sustainable use of AI across diverse global stakeholders. The UNU Global AI Network is an active multi-stakeholder platform, spearheaded by the UNU, and launched to operationalize the UN’s Global Digital Compact by uniting stakeholders to advance the ethical, responsible, and sustainable use of Artificial Intelligence. The network strategically focuses on ensuring the inclusion of voices from the Global South and the Cultural East in global AI governance discussions.
Scale and Inclusivity (as of Nov 2025): The network consists of 124 members from 36 countries across four continents. A large majority of the membership is from the Global South (72%).
Mission & Principles: Members pledge adherence to UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, emphasizing core values like human rights and ethical governance.
Key Initiatives: Activities are organized across four tracks: AI Research (e.g., policy report on Interoperability in AI Safety Governance), AI Governance, Capacity Building, and Youth & Innovation (e.g., Global Youth AI Future Innovation Competition 2025).
What is the Global Digital Compact? The Global Digital Compact, adopted by world leaders in September 2024 as part of the UN’s Pact of the Future, is the first comprehensive global framework for digital cooperation. It aims to maximize the benefits of the digital economy while mitigating risks and accelerating progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Policy Relevance
The Network’s work is crucial for addressing global AI fragmentation and enhancing India’s voice and capability in the digital domain:
Countering Global Fragmentation: The Network directly supports the UN Secretary-General’s objective to prevent the emergence of “fragmented AI spheres” and a world of “AI haves and have-nots”. As a leading voice within the 72% Global South membership, India’s active participation is essential to shaping this equitable future.
Championing Adaptive Governance: Indian entities are playing a key role in shaping the discussion on AI governance. The Indian Society of Artificial Intelligence and Law (ISAIL) notably organized the Dialogue for Action: AI Governance Localisation, which focused on developing adaptive frameworks that reflect the local realities of the Global South. This effort champions adaptive, locally relevant governance models over monolithic global standards, which directly supports India’s strategic autonomy in regulating technology.
Global R&D and Academic Access: The Network promotes alignment with UNESCO’s ethical values, enhancing India’s voice in global discussions on responsible AI. Furthermore, it opens vital channels for Indian institutions (like the International Institute of Information Technology, India) to access global research and capacity-building collaborations for sustainable AI development. This access is supported by a subsidized fee structure available to academic institutions from Low-Middle Income Countries like India.
Follow the full report here: UNU Global AI Network Report 2025