AI and Human Development

AI is reshaping not only what we can do, but how we understand who we are. 

As AI systems match or surpass human capabilities in certain domains, a deeper question comes into view: if machines can reason, communicate and act with apparent autonomy, what is it that makes us human? 

Between June and September 2026, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed convened four regional conversations on AI and Human Development with thought leaders from government, science, faith, business, the arts, Indigenous communities, and academia. The convenings began in Cairo, Egypt, then Mexico City, Mexico, Xi’an, China, and Rome, Italy.

On 23 September, we will bring these regional conversations to UN Headquarters. 

Join us in addressing some of the most defining questions of our time: what does it mean to be human in the age of AI? How is AI shaping humanity? And humanity, the development of AI?

The convening will be held at the UN Trusteeship Chamber. 

Registration to attend in person has closed. Please join us online. Watch live on UN Web TV.

Speakers:

Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General 
His Excellency David Sengeh, Chief Minister of Sierra Leone 
Ella Al-Shamahi, Explorer and Paleoanthropologist
Zeinab Badawi, Journalist and President, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Actor, Producer, Director and UN Global Advocate for Human-centric Digital Governance
Victoria de León, Biomaterials Innovator and CEO, Ontla
James Manyika, President, Research, Labs, Technology & Society, Google and Alphabet 
Amir Siraj, Astrophysicist and Concert Pianist
Brad Smith, President of Microsoft and UN SDG Advocate 
Gillian Tett, Award-winning Journalist and Author