LocationsOpening Remarks by Mr James George at the Inaugural Forum for AI Young Scientists, 2026 Zhongguancun Forum
May 30, 2026
UNDP Resident Representative a.i., James George, Delivering His Opening Remarks at the Inaugural Forum for AI Young Scientists
Deputy Director-General Gong,
President Ma,
Distinguished leaders,
Colleagues from UN Agencies,
Professors and scholars,
Young scientists and students,
Ladies and gentlemen, friends,
Good morning!
On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme, it is a great pleasure to join you for the Inaugural Forum for AI Young Scientists, held as part of the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Series.
Under the theme “Intelligence for the Future, Leadership by the Youth,” this forum brings together leading researchers, innovators, students, and international partners to explore one of the most transformative forces impacting our world today: artificial intelligence.
At the outset, I would like to sincerely thank Renmin University of China, and all organizers and partners for convening this important and timely event.
I would also like to congratulate everyone involved in launching this new platform for dialogue and cooperation.
Today, we are witnessing technological evolution unfolding at extraordinary speed and scale.
In what feels like just a few short years, AI technologies that only recently seemed experimental, are now reshaping how societies and economies function, and are rapidly redefining the way we all live, work, and interact.
The implications for sustainable development are profound.
From accelerating scientific discovery, strengthening disaster forecasting, and optimizing energy systems, to improving healthcare, revolutionising education, and enhancing public services, AI technologies are opening entirely new possibilities for how we respond to some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
And with the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – our global blueprint to safeguard people and planet – now less than four years away, these innovations have the potential to be truly game changing.
At the same time, however, we must pay heed to the potential challenges.
If not designed inclusively and accessible to all, these same technologies also have the power to exacerbate inequalities and deepen disparities between people, sectors, and countries – which could actually have the effect of setting sustainable development further behind.
For example, while in some high-income countries today, 2 in 3 people already use AI tools, in many low-income countries this number drops to as low as just 5%.1
And globally, the digital divide remains stark, with one-third of humanity still offline.2
To ensure that AI is a force for good in the long-run, it must be governed inclusively and utilized responsibly so its benefits can reach everyone.
This was the vision behind the United Nations Global Digital Compact, adopted in 2024, as part of the landmark Pact for the Future, and setting the goal of ensuring that the digital transformation is aligned with the public good.
Moving forward, however, actually realizing this vision, will require concerted efforts from all stakeholders.
And this is precisely why forums like this one are so valuable.
By focusing today not only on scientific and technological advancement, but also on interdisciplinary collaboration, AI governance, ethics, and talent cultivation in the digital age, we are recognizing that the future of AI will not be determined by technology alone, but rather by the values, institutions, and people guiding its development.
And speaking of people, perhaps none have a more uniquely important role in shaping the future of AI, than the youth.
Throughout history, many of the breakthroughs that have transformed our world came from younger generations willing to challenge assumptions and imagine new possibilities.
Today’s young AI researchers and scientists are entering the field at an extraordinary moment.
The pace of innovation is accelerating rapidly, if not exponentially.
The boundaries between disciplines are increasingly blurred. And the decisions being made now will shape societies for decades to come.
This creates both immense opportunity and immense responsibility.
"Charting a sustainable trajectory for AI will require collaboration across borders, across disciplines, and across generations."
At UNDP, we are committed to supporting you and working alongside all our partners, to advance a digital transformation that is inclusive and sustainable.
Across our global network of 170 countries, we are collaborating with governments to deploy AI-powered tools to advance the SDGs in practical ways. For example, in Ecuador we are using AI-enabled analytics to monitor migration and displacement trends, helping decision-makers anticipate pressures and target responses more effectively. And in Tajikistan, AI is helping doctors accelerate the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
Through global initiatives like our AI Readiness Assessment, we are also helping countries evaluate and strengthen their preparedness for the adoption of AI by identifying strengths, gaps, and action priorities in their digital and regulatory ecosystems.
Here in China, our commitment to advancing sustainable and inclusive AI is embedded in our new Country Programme Document (2026-2030) in China, aligning closely with China’s own 15th Five-year Plan, which places strong emphasis on AI and digital innovation as part of the government’s broader development priorities.
Indeed, as a global leader in technological innovation, China is a critical actor in global discussions around AI governance and digital cooperation.
China’s investments in research, talent development, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies continue to shape the global AI landscape, and platforms such as this forum will be increasingly important spaces for international exchange and collaboration in the years to come.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we approach the final stretch toward 2030, the choices we make around technology will shape the future of development itself.
Artificial intelligence presents enormous promise.
But realizing that promise will depend not only on what AI is capable of, but on what humanity chooses to do with it.
No single institution or sector can address these challenges alone.
Charting a sustainable trajectory for AI will require collaboration across borders, across disciplines, and across generations.
It is up to all of us.
And particularly to the young scientists here today, as you build the next generation of AI systems, here is my ask of you: choose one problem that the market won't solve on its own – a disease that mainly affects the poor, a language spoken by millions, but ignored by large models, a climate risk that threatens communities with no voice in global policy. Bring your best work there.
As I close, let me share a personal story.
I recall in my younger days. I had a housemate who was studying robotics control systems. He focused on the foundations of artificial intelligence, neural networks, and biologically inspired control systems.
I still remember him coming back home one day and excitedly telling me how ‘his robot’ took the first step.
At that point of time, the idea of machines that can learn, adapt, and operate autonomously seemed so far away to both of us.
Having said that, that feeling of enthusiasm, excitement and energy is what I wish all of the youth here today, as you reimagine the future, for the betterment of humanity.
With that, let me once again congratulate the organizers on the successful launch of this inaugural forum, and wish all participants productive and inspiring discussions ahead.
I hope our exchanges here will spark new ideas, new partnerships, and new forms of collaboration that help ensure AI serves the public good and contributes to a better future for all.
Thank you very much.
