February 12, 2025
Inside the Grand Palais at the 2025 AI Action Summit, global leaders and innovators gathered to showcase how artificial intelligence is tackling some of the world’s most urgent challenges. The Paris Peace Forum selected 50 groundbreaking AI projects from over 770 applicants across 111 countries for their potential to drive positive change.
Among the featured projects was Disha, an AI-driven disaster response initiative from the UN Global Pulse Lab. "Our model compares satellite images before and after disasters like floods or earthquakes to identify damage and direct aid efficiently," explained Talea von Lupin.
Another initiative, Phoenix, is using AI for peacebuilding by analyzing social media discourse to detect and address polarization. "We help mediators monitor online narratives in an ethical and participatory way," said Rita Costa Cots, emphasizing the tool's role in conflict resolution.
In healthcare, Care for Rare is leveraging AI to detect rare genetic diseases in newborns, helping doctors diagnose conditions early and save lives. "We involve medical professionals in the design process, so the technology is easy to use from day one," said Jerry John Kponyo.
Meanwhile, Masakhane, an African-led initiative, is working to build AI-powered language tools for indigenous languages. "Many African farmers rely only on their native languages. AI can bridge this gap, empowering them with information and improving livelihoods," explained Tajuddeen Gwadabe.
With selected projects spanning 28 countries—including 22 from the Global South—the summit underscored the power of AI to drive sustainable and equitable progress. From environmental protection to healthcare breakthroughs, the innovations showcased in Paris demonstrate how AI can be a force for good, inclusion, and global development.
This segment, reported by GZERO's own Tony Maciulis, is part of the Global Stage series at the 2025 AI Action Summit in Paris, presented by GZERO in partnership with Microsoft.
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