The potentially transformative effects of Artificial Intelligence have been brought into focus by the UN in recent days, following a major conference in Geneva: the AI For Global Good Summit.

The title of the event says it all: how is the technology being used to further UN-endorsed goals, such as reducing inequality, tackling the climate crisis, and supporting sustainable development.

But the fact that we need to promote “AI for Good” is perhaps also an acknowledgement of fears that AI can be used in ways that are not beneficial, and some speakers brought up some of the issues that need to be addressed, such as gender bias in tech, and social media addiction.

Conor Lennon from UN News asked Fred Werner, one of the founders of the Summit and the Head of Strategic Engagement at the ITU, the UN’s agency for digital technology, how the technology is being used by the UN, and whether or not it has the potential to save lives.