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President Lula Calls for Inclusive AI and Sustainable Development at G7 Outreach in Italy

President Lula, at the G7 outreach meeting in Italy, emphasized the need for inclusive AI, sustainable development, and international cooperation, particularly highlighting Africa's potential and the importance of addressing economic and social challenges.

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Aqsa Younas Rana
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President Lula's speech at the G7 outreach meeting in Italy stressed inclusive AI, sustainable development, and Africa's potential.

At the G7 outreach engagement segment in Italy, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva delivered a powerful speech addressing the critical global challenges of our time. Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for the invitation, Lula reflected on his last similar engagement during the L’Aquila Summit in 2009, where the world grappled with a financial crisis born from neoliberal policies.

Today, as Brazil leads the G20, Lula emphasized the urgency of addressing the dual crises of climate change and the digital revolution. He underscored the need to tackle these transitions with a focus on human dignity, planetary health, and responsibility to future generations.

Why This Matters: Lula highlighted the unprecedented concentration of digital resources and power in the hands of a few, exacerbated by the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). He called for the equitable sharing of AI’s benefits, advocating for safe, transparent, and empowering AI that upholds human rights, protects personal data, and ensures information integrity. He envisioned AI as a tool to enhance state capacities in environmental policies and energy transition, promote cultural and linguistic diversity, and serve as an instrument for peace, not conflict.

To achieve this vision, Lula called for international and intergovernmental governance of AI, where all states, including those from the Global South, have a voice. He stressed the indispensable role of African countries, with their youthful population and rich resources, in overcoming global challenges. Lula warned against the human tragedy of young Africans risking their lives for better opportunities, advocating instead for sustainable development within their home countries.

Highlighting the economic plight of many African nations, Lula noted that numerous countries spend more on foreign debt repayment than on essential services like education and health, fueling instability. He argued for the state’s role in planning development, promoting decent employment, and social inclusion.

Lula's speech at the G7 summit echoed his discussions at the International Labor Conference in Geneva, underscoring the necessity of a balanced approach to development that values human and natural resources.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Lula calls for equitable sharing of AI benefits and inclusive digital governance.
  • Urges AI governance that respects human rights and promotes peace.
  • Emphasizes Africa's potential and need for sustainable development.
  • Highlights economic challenges and instability due to foreign debt burdens.
  • Advocates for the state’s role in development, decent employment, and social inclusion.

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