AI for Good

What AI for Good does

AI for Good is an initiative organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN specialized agency headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and co-convened with the Government of Switzerland. Founded in 2017, it operates as a multi-component AI-for-impact platform spanning three workstreams: Solutions & Knowledge (connecting AI innovators with problem owners through the 55,000+-member Neural Network platform and Innovation Factory startup accelerator), Skills & Capacity (AI Skills Coalition free courses, Young AI Leaders Community, and AI & Robotics Youth Training Programme reaching 40+ countries), and Standards & Policy (AI Standards Exchange Database, AI Readiness Framework, UN AI Resource Hub, and co-leadership of the UN Inter-agency Working Group on AI with UNESCO). The technology layer centers on the Neural Network, an AI-powered community platform with smart-matching capabilities, available via web, iOS, and Android, supplemented by databases, frameworks, and multiple competitions (Robotics for Good Youth Challenge, ML Challenges, AI/ML in 5G Challenge, Film Festival, Canvas of the Future).

The business model is non-commercial and intermediated through partnerships: most programs, events, and platform access are free to participants. Revenue is generated through corporate sponsorship tiers (Diamond Sponsors Microsoft, TII, China Mobile, China Telecom, CUGU+; Gold Sponsors AWS, ZTE; plus session, networking, and youth zone partners), UN member-state assessed contributions flowing through ITU, and the AI for Good Impact Initiative targeting CHF 20M+ annually to fund AI activities in developing countries. Customer segments include AI startups and innovators seeking UN-backed visibility, governments and UN agencies coordinating policy, youth/students accessing education resources, and corporate partners pursuing ESG/CSR and talent access. The 2026 Global Summit is scheduled for July 7-10 in Geneva, with continuous year-round programming through webinars, regional chapters, and ongoing competitions.

Name

AI for Good

Legal name

AI for Good (International Telecommunication Union Initiative)

Website

https://aiforgood.itu.int

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Short description

AI for Good is a UN-aligned ITU initiative connecting AI innovators with global problem owners via an annual Geneva summit, a 55,000-member Neural Network platform, startup accelerators, skills programs across 40+ countries, and AI standards and policy work with 50+ UN agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International AI Policy and Standards Platform

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Computer Training (61142), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Other Computer Related Services (541519)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Responsible AI, AI Governance & Compliance Services (BPAEAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Responsible AI, Security & Privacy Platforms (Safety, Guardrails, PII) (HDAEANAG), Regulatory Readiness & Audit Automation (e.g., EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001) (HDAAAMAE), Audit, Explainability & Accountability Tooling (traceability, reporting) (HDAAAKAL), AI-Powered Tutoring & Study Assistant Platforms (EDANAGAD), AI Integration & Orchestration Platforms (Connectors, Workflow, iPaaS for AI) (HDAEANAI)

Keywords

• AI policy frameworks
• AI standards development
• AI capacity building
• Responsible AI governance
• AI innovation platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship and Event Partnerships: Revenue generated through corporate sponsorship tiers (Diamond, Gold, Silver sponsors), session partnerships, networking partnerships, and youth zone sponsorship. Major sponsors include Microsoft, TII, China Mobile, China Telecom, and others.
2. Impact Initiative Funding: Collective funding effort to drive meaningful change through AI for Good activities globally with focus on developing countries — aiming to raise CHF 20M+ annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AI for Good is the United Nations' leading platform on Artificial Intelligence, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with over 50 UN Sister Agencies and co-convened with the Government of Switzerland. The initiative delivers an integrated ecosystem comprising the annual AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, the Neural Network community platform connecting 55,000+ AI experts, free AI education through the AI Skills Coalition, startup acceleration via the Innovation Factory, AI standards alignment tools, and global competitions (Robotics for Good Youth Challenge, ML Challenges, Film Festival, Impact Awards). It spans three pillars — Solutions & Knowledge, Skills & Capacity, and Standards & Policy — to advance responsible AI for sustainable development.

Product overview

AI for Good is the United Nations' leading platform on Artificial Intelligence, organized by ITU in partnership with 50+ UN Sister Agencies and co-convened with the Government of Switzerland. The platform operates as a multi-component ecosystem comprising: the flagship AI for Good Global Summit (annual event in Geneva), the Neural Network community platform (connecting 55K+ members), the AI Skills Coalition (offering free AI courses globally), the Innovation Factory startup accelerator, various AI competitions (Robotics for Good Youth Challenge, ML Challenges, AI/ML in 5G Challenge, Film Festival, Impact Awards), the UN AI Resource Hub, AI Standards Exchange Database, and multiple AI initiatives focused on health, food systems, telecom, quantum, and resilience. The platform spans three core areas: Solutions & Knowledge (connecting innovators with problem owners), Skills & Capacity (AI education and youth empowerment), and Standards & Policy (AI standardization and governance).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AI for Good Global Summit: The flagship annual AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, connecting AI innovators with problem owners to advance global challenges
• AI for Good Innovation Factory
• AI for Good Neural Network
• AI Skills Coalition
• AI for Good Impact Awards
• AI for Good Film Festival
• Canvas of the Future
• Robotics for Good Youth Challenge
• Young AI Leaders Community
• AI Readiness Framework

Products and services

• AI for Good Global Summit United Nations' leading annual platform on Artificial Intelligence held in Geneva, connecting AI innovators with problem owners to advance global challenges. Next summit scheduled for 7-10 July 2026.
• Neural Network Community Platform

Quantifiable outcome

• 160+ AI use cases documented across healthcare, climate, education, and digital inclusion sectors
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability13 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI for Good is organized by ITU as the primary implementing agency. ITU serves as the secretariat and main organizational body for all AI for Good programs, summits, and initiatives.
• Government of SwitzerlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-convened with the Government of Switzerland, hosting the annual AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.
• 50+ UN Sister AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with over 50 UN agencies including WHO, WIPO, UNESCO, UNDP, WMO, FAO, UNHCR, UNEP, UNCTAD, IMO, ILO, and many others to advance AI for sustainable development goals.
• MicrosoftflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Sponsor of AI for Good with multiple sessions and workshops on AI skills development. Microsoft actively contributes to the AI Skills Coalition and drives global change through AI skills initiatives.
• Technology Innovation Institute (TII)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Sponsor of AI for Good, presenting on quantum technologies and AI research topics at summits.
• China MobileflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Sponsor contributing to discussions on AI as a global public good benefiting humanity.
• China TelecomflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Sponsor actively involved in AI initiatives driving sustainable connectivity and intelligent infrastructure.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leading the Global Initiative on AI for Health with ITU and WIPO to scale safe, high-performance AI diagnostic tools and health solutions worldwide.
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Global Initiative on AI for Health, contributing to safe and high-performance AI diagnostic tools development.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leading the UN Inter-agency working group on AI with ITU for AI policy, ethics, and implementation strategies across the UN system. Also co-launching free online AI courses for civil servants with Oxford.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAWS AI League competition-based AI tournament for social impact, also a Gold Sponsor and networking partner.
• ZTE CorporationflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor presenting AI for healthcare and humanity vision at summits.
• HuaweiflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSession Partner contributing to AI discussions and innovation at AI for Good summits.
• CiscoflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSession Partner for AI and technology discussions at annual summits.
• World Economic Forum (WEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITU AI for Good participates in WEF Davos annual meetings to engage in strategic discussions on responsible AI future.
• Tech To The RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched first-ever AI for Good Impact Awards in 2025, recognizing pro bono AI for social impact.
• LEGOcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth Zone Sponsor supporting youth engagement and education programs at AI for Good summits.
• Akbank LABminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Innovation Factory chapter partner in Turkey hosting AI startup events and competitions.
• Zhejiang LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in launching the ITU AI and Space Computing Challenge for innovating for a more intelligent planet.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Future of Life Institute (FLI): Non-profit focused on existential and present-day risks from transformative technologies including AI; runs the AI Safety Summit series and grants programs. Direct peer in responsible-AI advocacy, frameworks, and convening of researchers and policymakers.
• Partnership on AI (PAI): Multi-stakeholder non-profit organization focused on responsible AI, with members across industry, academia, and civil society. Direct peer in responsible-AI governance, frameworks, and convening — operating with a similar mission (responsible AI) but without UN/ITU convening power.
• UN Global Pulse: UN Secretary-General's initiative on big data and AI for development, humanitarian action, and peacebuilding. Closest analogue as another UN-led AI-for-social-good initiative; comparable in mission but distinct in programmatic focus (data/analytics vs. AI convening).
• OECD AI Policy Observatory: Intergovernmental OECD initiative providing policy analysis, data, and principles on AI (OECD AI Principles). Direct peer in international AI policy coordination and standards-adjacent work, with comparable scope across OECD member states.

Emerging players

• Center for AI Safety (CAIS): Research and advocacy organization focused on AI safety, known for the 2023 Statement on AI Risk signed by hundreds of researchers. Comparable to AI for Good's red-teaming and safety agenda, but smaller-scale and academic-led.
• Mozilla Foundation: Foundation that funds trustworthy AI research, advocacy, and fellowships through the Mozilla AI program. Comparable in mission (responsible/trustworthy AI for public good) and as a non-commercial convening/funding entity, but at a smaller scale and without UN convening status.

Broad incumbents

• UNESCO (AI programme): UN agency that produced the 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of AI and runs global AI ethics and capacity-building programs. Already a documented partner of AI for Good, and a peer in UN-led AI ethics and policy coordination.
• World Bank Digital Development Global Practice: World Bank unit that funds and advises governments on digital and AI development strategies, particularly in emerging markets. Comparable to AI for Good's developing-country focus and AI Readiness Framework; a partner/funder in the same ecosystem rather than a direct competitor.
• IEEE Standards Association: Operates major AI/ML standards efforts (e.g., IEEE 7000 series on ethical design) used by the AI for Good Standards Exchange Database as reference material. Comparable as a global AI standards-setting body, with a broader technology scope.
• World Economic Forum (WEF): Operates the Davos annual meeting and Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, convening heads of state, technology CEOs, and multilateral bodies on global challenges including AI. Closely comparable to AI for Good as a multi-stakeholder global convener and is already a documented partner of AI for Good at WEF Davos.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ITU_AIforGood
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ITUAIforGood
• Facebookfacebook.com/ITUAIforGood
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ai-for-good-global-summit-un
• Instagraminstagram.com/itu_aiforgood

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about AI for Good