- A high-level international conference convening 100+ speakers and 500+ participants from academia, government, industry, and civil society.
- Keynote sessions feature global leaders in AI ethics, governance, and innovation.
- Features 30+ sessions selected from nearly 300 global submissions, including keynotes, panels, paper presentations, and poster sessions.
- Addresses urgent AI challenges such as governance, ethics, sustainability, and equitable access, especially for the Global South.
- Anchored in Macau, with sessions showcasing regional innovation and Greater Bay Area collaboration.
- Launches the UNU Book Series on Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Development, a new global platform for research and policy exchange.
Macau SAR, China, October 15, 2025 — The United Nations University Institute in Macau (UNU Macau) will host the UNU Macau AI Conference 2025 on October 24 at the Galaxy International Convention Center, under the theme “AI for Humanity: Building an Equitable Digital Future.” Held on United Nations Day, the conference marks the centerpiece of the UNU Macau Milestone Series, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 50th anniversary of the United Nations University. The Conference is co-hosted with Galaxy Entertainment Group as the venue sponsor.
“Without adequate guardrails, AI could further exacerbate inequalities and digital divides and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable. We must seize this historic opportunity to lay the foundations for inclusive governance of AI – for the benefit of all humanity,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
This high-level international gathering will convene over 500 participants and 100+ speakers from across academia, government, industry, and civil society. The program features more than 30 sessions selected from nearly 300 global submissions, reflecting the diversity of thought and urgency of action required to shape AI systems that serve all of humanity—especially communities in the Global South.
The conference contributes to the UN Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact, reinforcing the need for inclusive digital governance, ethical AI frameworks, and equitable access to emerging technologies. It builds on the success of UNU Macau’s previous AI conferences and expands its reach through new partnerships, regional spotlights, and a new publication.
Keynote Sessions and Global Leadership
The conference features high-level keynotes from global leaders in AI and governance, including Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala (UNU Rector and UN Under-Secretary-General), Prof. Benjamin Rosman (University of the Witwatersrand), Dr. Girmaw Abebe Tadesse (Microsoft AI for Good Research Lab), Prof. Simon See (NVIDIA), and Prof. Virginia Dignum (Umeå University). These sessions set the tone for inclusive, ethical, and human-centered AI development.
Sessions Addressing Critical AI Challenges
The conference program is organized around key themes such as global AI governance, sustainability, education, and equity. Some highlights include a session led by Yik Chan Chin, Associate Professor at Beijing Normal University, examining interoperability in AI safety governance across China, South Korea, ASEAN, and the UK. Another session, led by Thomas Basikolo of the International Telecommunication Union, will introduce standardized metrics for measuring AI’s environmental impact, covering energy use, carbon emissions, and resource consumption. Sessions and panels on generative AI in higher education, youth digital literacy, and inclusive innovation strategies are tailored for a global audience.
Regional Spotlights and Macau's Role
Macau’s growing AI ecosystem is featured prominently throughout the program. The session “AI-powered Applications in Macau,” chaired by Samuel Chan, President of the Macao Computer Society, showcases local case studies in autonomous driving, respiratory disease surveillance, and epidemic intelligence. These examples illustrate how academic-industry partnerships are translating policy into practice and offer templates for collaboration across the Greater Bay Area. With many speakers from across Asia and the Greater Bay Area, the conference reinforces Macau’s position as a dynamic platform for inclusive dialogue, youth engagement, and cross-border cooperation.
Launch of the UNU Book Series on Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Development
A major highlight of the UNU Macau AI Conference 2025 is the official launch of the UNU Book Series on Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Development—a new global platform for advancing research, dialogue, and policy innovation at the intersection of AI and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Curated by UNU Macau and published in collaboration with Springer, the series will feature contributions from leading scholars, technologists, and practitioners working across disciplines and regions. Outcomes and insights from this conference will be published in the series.
The UNU Macau AI Conference 2025 is also supported by Chunlai Education Group, HKUST IEMS, MGM, and SenseTime.
Learn more about the conference: https://unu.edu/macau/aiconf2025
For further inquiries, please contact us at aiconference@unu.edu or unuai25.reg@gmail.com.
