The United Nations brought together AI thought leaders in Mexico City on 23-24 July for the second convening in a global dialogue series examining how artificial intelligence is reshaping human progress. The gathering, led by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohammed and organized by the UN Office for Partnerships in collaboration with the Government of Mexico, follows the inaugural convening held in Cairo in June 2026.
"Today humanity stands before a powerful new form of intelligence of its own making," said Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed. "The rise of AI forces us to ask a complex, perhaps uncomfortable question: what happens to human society when intelligence is no longer solely human?"
As AI becomes more embedded in daily life, it is reshaping how people learn, work, communicate and relate to one another. The Mexico City dialogue explored AI's impact on social fabric, cultural expression, trust and education systems, while questioning how societies define progress and well-being during rapid technological change.
Participants included policymakers, scientists, technologists, educators, economists, cultural leaders and artists. The series will continue with convenings in China and Italy, culminating in New York during the 81st UN General Assembly in September.
The AI and Human Development series
The United Nations describes the convenings as part of a global conversation that moves from region to region before ending at the UN headquarters. The series examines how artificial intelligence is transforming human civilization and sustainable development, hosted in locations of historical and cultural significance.
The discussion in Mexico built on the Secretary General's Global Dialogue on AI Governance and will inform key processes leading to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. In 2027, the initiative will expand to support country-led, community-based dialogues worldwide ahead of the SDG Summit.
What AI means for human identity
"The future of AI will not be decided in one room. But it can be changed by what begins in this one," Mohammed said. "When we gather here, Latin America and the Caribbean must come not as a footnote to a story written elsewhere, but as one of the authors for a brave new world."
The dialogue raised questions about identity, trust, and coexistence as intelligence becomes increasingly artificial. Participants reflected on how diverse cultural and philosophical traditions can help guide the evolution of technology and society. For IT and development professionals, these conversations mirror the workforce shifts they face daily as AI tools redefine what technical skills are needed and how systems are built. Training in modern AI capabilities, such as Generative AI and LLM, has become central to staying effective in roles that involve building and maintaining technology infrastructure.
About the UN Office for Partnerships
The UN Office for Partnerships serves as the global gateway to the United Nations, convening partnerships and programmes to accelerate solutions toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
Why this matters for IT and development professionals
For IT and development workers, the UN's dialogue on AI and human development signals a shift: the rules for building, deploying and governing AI systems are being shaped by international policy bodies, not just tech companies. This means professionals working with AI need to understand both the technology and the regulatory frameworks emerging around it. Staying current with these developments through resources like AI for IT & Development can help professionals align their technical work with responsible AI standards and remain competitive as global governance takes shape.
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