Held successfully from October 23 to 25 at Macao’s Galaxy International Convention Center, the United Nations University Macau Artificial Intelligence Conference 2025 gathered over 500 participants from more than 30 countries for in-depth discussions on the global development of artificial intelligence (AI) under the theme “AI for Humanity: Building an Equitable Digital Future.” Attendees included United Nations (UN) senior officials, ministers, leading academics, business leaders, and youth representatives.
Dean Zhao Longyue, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala and Student Representatives
Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Under-Secretary-General of UN and Rector of the United Nations University (UNU), attended the conference in person. As the Conference also marked the UN’s 80th anniversary of and the UNU’s 50th anniversary, Dr. Huang Jingbo, Director of the UNU Institute in Macau, hosted the opening ceremony. As one of the co-initiating institutions of the UNU Global AI Network, the School of International Governance Innovation (SIGI) of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS) participated throughout the Conference. Dean Zhao Longyue, along with faculty and student representatives, actively contributed the GDUFS voice to multiple sessions, demonstrating SIGI’s dedicated efforts in professional cultivation for global AI governance and for international organizations.
Dean Zhao Longyue and Professor Tshilidzi Marwala
AI Governance for the World, Education for the Future
The Conference featured over 30 main and parallel forums, with topics selected from nearly 300 global proposals. Particularly focusing on the digital development challenges faced by the Global South, the agenda highlighted diverse perspectives and cross-sector collaboration. The Conference centered on three key pillars, namely AI research for bridging the digital divide, inclusiveness and capacity building in the AI era, and interdisciplinary collaboration and ecosystem development. It offered in-depth discussions on new pathways for global AI governance. In addition, special sessions, such as the Global Youth AI Future Innovation Competition 2025, AI Education Day, and Generative AI and Higher Education Panel, underscored the Conference’s strong emphasis on empowering young people and advancing educational transformation.
On-site Expert Interview during AI Education Day
AI Inspires Global Wisdom and Unites Talents Worldwide
In his opening address, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala emphasized the importance of establishing an inclusive framework for global AI governance, one that advances technological progress while upholding humanistic values and care. “The three events together form an integrated platform that fosters the exchange of leading global ideas, the passing on of knowledge to younger generations, and the promotion of AI-driven solutions for sustainable development. These efforts aim to address challenges in areas such as climate change, digital inclusion, global governance, and educational transformation.”, he pointed out.
Opening Adress by Professor Tshilidzi Marwala
Dr. Huang Jingbo further echoed the Conference’s central theme in her address. She noted that the Conference coincided with the milestone anniversaries of both UN and UNU and underscored the need to strengthen global cooperation through AI as bridge to build a fair and inclusive digital future benefiting all human.
Opening Adress by Dr. Huang Jingbo
AI for Connectivity and Harmony
SIGI faculty and students actively participated in the main and parallel forums of the Conference. Centered on key topics such as the sustainable development goals, AI ethics and governance, AI-empowered digital economy, and educational equity and inclusive innovation, they engaged in in-depth discussions and put forward practical, insightful governance perspectives. Through extensive interactions with officials, scholars, and institutional representatives from around the world, they demonstrated solid professional expertise and outstanding international communication skills.
Dean Zhao Longyue, Principal Gong Ke and Student Representatives
SIGI Representatives also invited Professor Tshilidzi Marwal, Dr. Huang Jingbo and other distinguished experts and scholar to visits GDUFS in the future while engaging in exchanges with them, thereby laying the groundwork for joint research initiatives and professional co-cultivation programs. These meaningful interactions further tightened the ties between SIGI and UNU Global AI Alliance, serving not only as a testament to the fruitful outcomes of the Conference, but also as powerful evidence of SIGI’s engagement on the international stage and dedication to cultivating high-caliber professionals in global governance.
Dean Zhao Longyue, Dr. Huang Jingbo and Student Representatives
At the closed-door meeting of the UNU Global AI Network, Professor Zhao Longyue presented the research progress and professional cultivation model of SIGI in the field of global AI governance. He emphasized SIGI’s commitment to interdisciplinary integration and international collaboration, welcoming in-depth cooperation and exchange with international organizations, world-renowned universities, and research institutions worldwide.
On-site Interview with Dean Zhao Longyue by UNU
AI is a key force reshaping the future global landscape. SIGI of GDUFS will remain committed to deepening the cross-disciplinary integration among the humanities, social sciences and sci-tech fields, leveraging its multidisciplinary strengths and advancing research on global AI governance. Building on this vision, SIGI aims to enhance international exchange and cooperation, contributing GDUFS’s wisdom and strength to building a fairer and more sustainable digital future.
Student Representatives at the Parallel Forums
