Google at the 79th United Nations General Assembly

We've learned that expanding access to opportunity through technology needs robust public-private partnerships, supported by solid policy frameworks. That's why, to tackle the SDGs and prevent an AI divide, we're collaborating across sectors with the UN and other stakeholders. Today, I'm excited to share some updates on our ongoing efforts, including our partnerships with UN agencies and a diverse group of global partners.

Supporting AI skilling and education through a Global AI Opportunity Fund

As Sundar mentioned in his keynote, we're committing $120 million to expand AI education and training globally. We're teaming up with nonprofits and civil society groups to offer training in local languages, based on foundational AI courses developed by Google and others. This adds to the $275 million Google.org has already pledged to support the responsible use of AI in society. This funding helps NGOs leverage AI for social impact and supports organizations working to build an ethical, safe, and robust AI ecosystem. It also includes support for AI solutions to achieve the SDGs, like flood forecasting in over 80 countries, wildfire detection, and AlphaFold, which is aiding over 2 million scientists in more than 190 countries with protein-folding research.

Enhancing the “Data Commons” to measure SDG progress

Following a successful year since launching the UN Data Commons for the SDGs, Google has partnered with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) Statistics Division to integrate Data Commons into major organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO). Data Commons serves as a central hub, offering an AI interface to access insights and visualizations on SDG progress, helping to drive data-driven strategies and decisions. This initiative promotes data equity, removing data as a barrier to SDG implementation, and ensures more communities can benefit from AI advancements.

Using AI to map the world’s buildings

With the global population growing by over 80 million annually, mapping the constantly evolving built environment is challenging. Yet, comprehensive urban data is crucial for global decision-makers and partners like UN Habitat to support effective urban planning and address SDG 11. Last week, we introduced the Open Buildings 2.5D Temporal dataset, which uses AI to extract building footprints and heights from satellite imagery too blurry for human eyes. This dataset offers detailed insights into how the world's cities are changing over time.

Using AI to enhance humanitarian disaster response

In partnership with Google.org, UN Global Pulse's DISHA initiative, and the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT), Google Research has developed an AI-powered tool to help UNOSAT experts assess building damage. This tool enhances the UN's disaster response capabilities by allowing analysts to cover much larger areas and produce initial damage reports six times faster, aiding quicker support to humanitarian agencies.

Leveraging Google Cloud

Google Cloud has collaborated with the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the UN International Computing Centre (UNICC), and the Italian and Ethiopian governments to address challenges related to the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulations. Through "first mile data ownership," Google Cloud empowers coffee farmers with control over their data, improving transparency and supply chain efficiency. We also signed a Joint Declaration with UNIDO to use innovation for inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

Working to enhance education for all

As part of our commitment to universal education, we're working with UNICEF to support SDG4 (Quality Education). This includes deploying Chromebooks and using Google Classroom and Read Along to boost literacy. We're also part of UNESCO's Global Education Coalition, which launched the Six Pillars for Digital Transformation of Education, a framework for sustainable, human-centered digital transformation in education systems. By connecting young people to quality learning, we aim to support skill development, economic growth, and societal contributions. Our goal is to harness technology, including AI, to bridge the equity gap and address the global learning crisis.

Looking ahead

We're proud of our ongoing collaboration with the UN. This year's "Summit of the Future" has been particularly inspiring, highlighting the urgency of global issues and the potential of technology if we work together.

Future generations are watching and urging for action. This year, a group of YouTube Creators joined UNGA and the summit to amplify these critical discussions with their 52 million subscribers. Livestreaming UNGA sessions on YouTube is another way people are showing their support for the SDGs.

As Sundar said, "The opportunities are too great... the challenges too urgent... and this technology too transformational, to do anything less."

So let's keep pushing forward!