As part of the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 in Seoul, I participated in the panel “Empowering AI for development: Mobilising global partnerships for local impact”, which brought together senior government representatives, leaders of international institutions and representatives of global technology companies.
The panel focused on the gap between developed and developing countries in access to artificial intelligence and its benefits, as well as the need for international partnerships that mobilise financing, technology and expertise to address concrete development challenges. Discussions also addressed building sustainable partnerships between governments, international financial institutions and technology companies, while tackling issues of data sovereignty, dependence on technology providers and the development of local capacities.
During the discussion, I emphasised that positioning small countries such as Kosovo in the global artificial intelligence race is particularly challenging, but we must ensure that we do not fall behind. To benefit from the opportunities this technology brings, we must focus on developing local talent and capacities, using practical artificial intelligence solutions (Small AI) to address concrete problems in public service delivery and various sectors of the economy, as well as strengthening multilateral cooperation to access infrastructure, computing capacity and international expertise.
The discussion was moderated by Arturo Franco, Director of the World Bank Group’s Strategy Office, with the participation of the Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, representatives of the Gates Foundation, Meta, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Sèmè City from Benin, as well as representatives of the Government of the Philippines and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It was a pleasure to participate in this panel, where perspectives were exchanged on opportunities for cooperation to turn the potential of artificial intelligence into concrete development benefits for our countries.
