The session, titled "AI as a Global Common Good: What Do Religious and Industry Leaders Think?", was the first of its kind at the summit, bringing together religious leaders, technology experts, ethicists, and industry representatives to discuss the ethical and humanitarian implications of AI.

Leaders discuss human-centred AI development

Moderated by Dr. Fadi Daou, Executive Director of Globethics, the discussion focused on safeguarding human dignity, strengthening accountability, building trust, and promoting cooperation among religious institutions, technology companies, policymakers, and international organisations to support human-centred AI governance.

Alessandra Sala, Chair of the AI and Multimedia Authenticity Standards Collaboration, said organisations are more likely to embrace ethical AI when they recognise that responsible practices generate value, trust, and long-term benefits for both businesses and society.

Experts call for ethics and diversity in AI decisions

Dr. Brian Patrick Green, Director of Technology Ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University and representative of the Vatican, emphasised that the future of AI depends on a deeper understanding of what it means to be human.

He argued that no single discipline, institution, or tradition holds a monopoly on truth and that effective AI governance requires drawing upon diverse sources of knowledge and wisdom.

Dr. Chinmay Pandya, Global Interfaith Leader and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (DSVV), said that while technology can reveal what humanity is capable of doing, faith and spirituality help determine what humanity ought to do. He stressed that decisions relating to human dignity, freedom, and moral responsibility should not be delegated entirely to machines and called for collective stewardship of AI informed by technological expertise and ethical wisdom.

Global cooperation urged to shape AI’s future

Rim Belhassine Cherif, Chair of the Network of Women in ITU-T and Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer at Tunisie Télécom, stressed that AI should serve people and improve their lives.

Participants emphasised that religions are essential partners in shaping ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence, given their role in safeguarding human dignity, promoting responsibility, and reinforcing shared human values.

They also called for greater involvement of women and youth in global AI discussions, recognising them as key partners in shaping the future of technology.

The session concluded with a call for stronger collaboration among governments, international organisations, the private sector, academia, civil society, and religious leaders to ensure AI development remains centred on humanity and contributes to sustainable development.