Workshop on AI Governance and Sustainable Development: for Good and for All｜Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh: Fostering inclusion, steering AI toward ethical excellence

Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh, co-lead of the Artificial Intelligence Safety and Governance Program of the World Internet Conference Specialized Committee on AI and programme director of the Centre for the Future of Intelligence, University of Cambridge, speaks during the Workshop on AI Governance and Sustainable Development of the 2025 WIC Asia-Pacific Summit in Hong Kong on April 14. [Photo/wicinternet.org]

A leading expert from the United Kingdom has called for global collaborative efforts to enhance the inclusiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) in light of the rapid development of this key technology.

Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh, co-lead of the Artificial Intelligence Safety and Governance Program of the World Internet Conference (WIC) Specialized Committee on AI, made the remarks while attending via video link a workshop titled "AI Governance and Sustainable Development: For Good and for All" during the 2025 WIC Asia-Pacific Summit in Hong Kong on April 14.

It is also necessary to strengthen international and regional cooperation and dialogue, and promote the implementation of AI applications, steering it towards ethical excellence, he noted.

Efforts are needed to think on how to work with low- and middle- income countries to help them seize opportunities brought about by AI, ensuring global benefits, he added. 

"AI is the 'hammer' in our hands, and everything else is a 'nail'. We need to understand how to better utilize this 'hammer' that is AI and give special care and consideration when wielding it", said Ó hÉigeartaigh. 

Ó hÉigeartaigh, who is also the programme director of the Centre for the Future of Intelligence at the University of Cambridge, said that the workshop will facilitate all stakeholders in more effectively reflecting on AI governance proposals and advancing AI governance practices.

He also commended the report titled "Governing AI for Good and for All — Empowering Global Sustainable Development", which was released at the summit. The report included many case studies from around the world on AI development. It is a good resource for global stakeholders in advancing governance of AI, he said.