This report examines how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity and the planet, including climate change, humanitarian crises, food insecurity and gaps in access to health and education. Drawing on nearly a decade of work under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)–led AI for Good platform, the report focuses on three AI domains that have demonstrated particular relevance for the public good: robotics, geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI) and AI for communications networks.
Across applications ranging from healthcare and telemedicine to disaster response, biodiversity conservation and energy use optimization, the report documents how AI systems are already being applied to improve early warning, decision-making and service delivery, including in low-resource and crisis-affected settings. These applications illustrate how AI technologies beyond generative AI, when embedded in physical systems, spatial analysis and digital infrastructure, can support human well-being and planetary health.
At the same time, the report emphasizes that the benefits of AI are not automatic. Without appropriate governance, investment and capacity, AI systems risk reinforcing existing inequalities, exacerbating environmental pressures and undermining trust. Based on the analysis of case studies and consultations with experts from the AI for Good community, the report identifies five interrelated pathways that are critical for creating an enabling environment for AI for human and planetary well-being:
- Data quality, access and governance: Strengthening access to high-quality, representative and well-governed data, particularly geospatial data, to reduce bias, exclusion and fragmented decision-making.
- Digital infrastructure and access: Investing in inclusive digital infrastructure, including broadband connectivity, compute capacity and interoperable systems, to address persistent digital divides.
- AI literacy and talent: Expanding digital literacy, skills development and talent pipelines to enable institutions and societies to effectively deploy, interpret and govern AI systems.
- Responsible AI policy: Embedding safeguards related to human rights, privacy, cybersecurity, physical safety, labour impacts and environmental sustainability throughout the AI lifecycle.
- Digital ecosystem development: Fostering partnerships across governments, the United Nations system, industry, academia and civil society to translate innovation into scalable and durable public-interest outcomes.
Together, these pathways provide a practical framework for moving from isolated pilot projects towards the responsible and systemic deployment of AI systems in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. The report concludes that shaping the trajectory of AI through deliberate, inclusive and human-centred policymaking will be essential to ensuring that rapid technological advances translate into meaningful and lasting benefits for people and the planet.
Access "Unlocking AI’s Potential to Serve Humanity: Robotics, Geospatial AI and Communications Networks" here.
