XXV Infopoverty World Conference follow-up event: “Warfare or Welfare: the AI dilemma – the roadmap to AI-welfare4all”

July 7th, Hotel San Rocco, Orta San Giulio - On the path traced by the XXV Infopoverty World Conference, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on the theme “Warfare or Welfare: The AI Dilemma” one of the most pressing challenges of our time has been addressed: the strategic orientation of Artificial Intelligence between security imperatives and human development priorities.

The Final Declaration - available here - further stressed the need to harness Artificial Intelligence to advance a Welfare4AllModel - a system aimed at promoting the integration of AI-driven services for development across key areas, including telemedicine, food security, e-learning for job creation, and e-governance, in line with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

In line with this mission, and following the discussions held during the United Nations’ Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, OCCAM organized a follow-up event with the aim of establishing a task force to transform shared commitments and recommendations into concrete actions. 

XXV Follow-up event - Roundtable | Hotel San Rocco, Lake Orta

In this framework, the event hosted by Hotel San Rocco, Orta San Giulio, Lake Orta, has further developed the step towards the establishment of an international AIWelfare4All Task Force, bringing together institutional representatives, scientific experts, private-sector actors, and civil society stakeholders with the objective of identifying scalable solutions and best-practices for the responsible deployment of Artificial Intelligence in support of human development.  

Located on the shores of Lake Orta – a territory internationally recognized for its successful  experience in environmental restoration and as a model of cooperation between institutions, research bodies, private stakeholders, and local communities – the meeting provided a significant setting for reflecting on how innovation can be directed towards the common good. 

Eminent Speakers have gathered to explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in key areas including e-governance, rural development, agriculture, healthcare, telemedicine, clean energy, and ecosystem restoration.

The discussions highlighted a shared recognition that Artificial Intelligence should not be considered solely as a technological advancement, but as a strategic instrument capable of strengthening social infrastructures, improving access to essential services, and empowering communities, particularly those living in underserved and vulnerable areas.

In this perspective, participants highlighted the importance of adopting a Glocal Approach, combining the capacity of local territories to generate innovative solutions with the possibility of sharing and replicating successful experiences at international level. Local ecosystems, characterized by the cooperation among public institutions, research centres, businesses, civil society organizations, and communities, were recognized as strategic environments where Artificial Intelligence applications can be tested, refined, and adapted according to real social needs.

The meeting therefore emphasized the value of developing targeted pilot initiatives within carefully selected territorial contexts, conceived as controlled and collaborative environments where technological solutions can be progressively optimized through participatory governance models expanding access to essential services worldwide.

Particular attention was devoted to the possibility of leveraging existing digital platforms and infrastructures developed through OCCAM’s long-standing experience in the fields of telemedicine, food security, digital inclusion, and community empowerment. These solutions, already tested through international projects and partnerships, represent a valuable foundation for the creation of new AI-enhanced services capable of supporting vulnerable communities, rural areas, and underserved populations.

Participants further recognized that the successful deployment of Artificial Intelligence for social welfare requires not only technological capabilities, but also adequate governance frameworks ensuring transparency, ethical responsibility, data protection, interoperability, and human oversight. In this regard, AI systems should be designed as instruments supporting human decision-making rather than replacing human responsibility, maintaining the central role of individuals, communities, and institutions.

The discussions ultimately converged on the necessity of establishing an operational AIWelfare4All Task Force, composed of institutional representatives, scientific experts, technological actors, and relevant stakeholders, with the mandate of consolidating the proposals emerged from the meeting into a structured Action Plan. The Task Force will aim to identify priority areas of intervention, promote the development of pilot projects, facilitate international cooperation, and contribute to the dissemination of best practices, ensuring that Artificial Intelligence becomes an effective catalyst for inclusive development, environmental sustainability, and improved quality of life for all.