The UNU Macau AI Conference 2025 concluded on October 24 at the Galaxy International Convention Center, Macau. The event gathered over 500 participants from more than 30 countries to explore the future of AI under the theme “AI for Humanity: Building an Equitable Digital Future.” As part of the UNU Macau Milestone Series, the conference commemorated the 80th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) and the 50th anniversary of the United Nations University (UNU).
The conference convened over 150 speakers from academia, government, industry, and civil society. The program featured 30 sessions selected from nearly 300 global submissions, reflecting the urgency and diversity of perspectives needed to shape AI systems that serve all of humanity—especially communities in the Global South.
Opening the conference, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, UNU Rector and UN Under-Secretary-General, emphasized the importance of inclusive governance frameworks that safeguard human dignity while driving technological progress: “These events form a cohesive platform to convene ideas, transfer knowledge to younger generations, and catalyze AI-driven solutions for the challenges we face, from climate resilience to digital inclusion, from governance to education.”
Amandeep Singh Gill, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, echoed this vision: “Together, these milestones remind us that our shared progress must be anchored in shared purpose, global responsibility, and a long-term vision. This series is an essential contribution to that vision, bringing together diverse voices to reflect, reimagine, and recommit to digital innovation that serves humanity.”
Liang Zheng, Vice Dean of the Institute for AI International Governance (I-AIIG) at Tsinghua University, attended the opening ceremony of the UNU Macau AI Conference 2025 and held discussions with Professor Marwala on advancing international collaboration in AI ethics and governance between UNU and Tsinghua.
As part of the conference thematic focus on “AI for Humanity: Building an Equitable Digital Future,” Liang chaired the side event “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable and Equitable Future: Governance, Inclusivity, and Interdisciplinary Innovation.” The session examined how AI can advance sustainable development and social equity through innovative governance, cross-disciplinary cooperation, and capacity-building initiatives.
Panelists included Serge Stinckwich, Computer Scientist and Head of Research at UNU Macau; Rostam J. Neuwirth, Distinguished Professor of Law and Head of the Department of Global Legal Studies, University of Macau; Zhang Jian, Vice Dean of the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Tsinghua University; Yik Chan Chin, Associate Professor at the School of Journalism and Communication, Beijing Normal University; and Zhou Shen, Associate Researcher at the Department of Communication of Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China.
The discussion reaffirmed the ethical, environmental, and socio-economic implications of AI, emphasizing responsible innovation and inclusive policy design. Experts highlighted the need to bridge the digital gap and ensure that technological progress benefits collective well-being worldwide.
