Page 29 - Connecting the Future How Connectivity and AI Unlock New Potential

Connecting the Future: How Connectivity and AI Unlock New Potential

C) AI for Good

The ITU’s AI for Good platform plays a key role in accelerating scalable AI solutions for health,
education, sustainability, and especially edge AI applications in fragile or underserved environ-
ments. Notably, the Digital Agriculture: A Standards Snapshot report, produced by the ITU/FAO
Focus Group on AI and IoT for Digital Agriculture (FG AI4A), lays a foundation for harmonized
technical terminology, data-model frameworks, and ethical best practices to support localized,
AI-driven agricultural interventions. Complementing this, the AI Skills Coalition, launched under
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the AI for Good Impact Initiative, addresses the global AI skills gap by mobilizing a UN-led educa-
tional ecosystem, including global challenges, digital transformation hubs, and capacity building
centers. The Coalition emphasizes inclusive training – especially for women, youth, and individuals
in Least Developed Countries, with a target of equipping 10,000 learners with essential AI capa-
bilities by the end of 2025. 91
D) Amazon Partnerships with Local Operators

In an industry-first collaboration, Amazon has partnered with telecom operators such as Vodafone
in Europe and Africa, and Vrio (including DIRECTV Latin America and Sky Brasil) across seven
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South American countries. These collaborations enable satellites to link rural cellular towers to core
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networks, extending 4G/5G services. For instance, Vrio will provide Kuiper-powered broadband to
approximately 383 million people, of whom an estimated 200 million currently lack connectivity.

E) Cisco’s Contributions
Cisco has played a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide through targeted interventions in
connectivity expansion and workforce development.
Access to AI and high-speed connectivity is not just a technological advantage, it is an economic
necessity. The impact of these technologies extends far beyond convenience; they are powerful
enablers of growth. High-speed connectivity and AI integration fuel productivity gains across key
sectors: from agriculture, where smart tools improve yields, to healthcare, where telemedicine
brings critical services to remote populations. These technologies are also generating entirely new
employment categories and businesses, driven by innovation and the demand for region-specific
AI solutions.

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