A research team led by Professor Jude Kong (University of Toronto), and including Jake Effoduh, Jim Hinton, Abbas Yazdinejad, and Maral Niazi, is developing new approaches to monitor, assess, and govern AI systems in public health across the Global Majority.
Mapping the AI ecosystem
A central component of the project is the creation of a comprehensive mapping of AI deployment in healthcare systems, particularly across Africa.
This work has already led to the identification of key actors, technologies, and use cases, providing a clearer picture of how AI is currently being integrated into public health infrastructures.
The team is now moving towards the development of a dynamic dashboard, designed to track AI systems and support decision-making.
A participatory approach to governance
At the heart of the project is the idea that AI governance must be participatory and context-driven.
Rather than imposing top-down frameworks, the team seeks to co-develop tools with a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society organisations, educators, and practitioners.
This approach aims to ensure that governance mechanisms are not only technically robust, but also socially legitimate and locally relevant.
Simulating risk, informing decisions
In addition to mapping existing systems, the project is developing tools to simulate risks associated with AI deployment.
By combining data analysis with machine learning models, the team seeks to anticipate potential harms and identify appropriate safeguards before they materialise.
This forward-looking approach reflects a shift from reactive governance to anticipatory governance, where risks are assessed proactively rather than addressed after the fact.
Building capacity for the global majority
A key objective of the project is to strengthen AI literacy and governance capacity across the Global Majority.
Through its proposed dashboard and monitoring tools, the initiative aims to:
- empower policymakers with evidence-based insights;
- support civil society in understanding and engaging with AI systems;
- enable more informed and inclusive decision-making processes.
In doing so, the project seeks to amplify local voices in global debates on AI governance.
A multidisciplinary effort
The project brings together a diverse team of experts, including AI researchers, legal scholars, policymakers, and risk specialists.
This multidisciplinary approach is essential to addressing the complexity of AI governance, which sits at the intersection of technology, law, public policy, and social impact.
Regular collaboration and iterative development allow the team to refine both its analytical framework and its practical tools.
Looking ahead
The team will present its findings at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva (7-10 July 2026) as part of ITU’s Kaleidoscope sessions, on Thursday, 9 July 2026, from 15:30 to 16:30. More information soon.
Their research highlights a crucial insight:
AI governance must be built not only on principles, but on tools, practices, and capacities that reflect the realities of the global majority.
By focusing on implementation, participation, and equity, this project offers a concrete pathway towards more inclusive and effective AI governance worldwide.
About AI for the Global Majority
AI for the Global Majority (AI4GM) is a joint initiative of the Geneva Graduate Institute, Microsoft, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) dedicated to supporting innovative, evidence-based, and context-sensitive research on how artificial intelligence can benefit the world’s majority populations.
Bringing together interdisciplinary teams from across regions and sectors, the initiative explores practical pathways for more inclusive, responsible, and impactful AI in areas such as governance, education, health, finance, and digital innovation.
Selected teams will present their work in Geneva as part of the AI for Good Global Summit, contributing to international discussions on the future of AI and global development.