Davos: Global leaders from government, business, philanthropy, and civil society underscored the importance of deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce inequality and address development gaps, during a high-level dialogue hosted by H.E. Badr Jafar, UAE Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, in collaboration with the UAE Prime Minister's Office, titled 'The AI Impact Flywheel: Government, Business and Strategic Philanthropy' held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.
According to Emirates News Agency, the session brought together Badr Jafar; Huda Al Hashimi, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs; and more than 50 senior leaders from government, global technology companies, philanthropy, multilateral institutions, and social innovation organisations. Participants discussed the need for strengthening coordination and alignment between public policy, private-sector innovation, and strategic philanthropy, to ensure AI innovations are translated rapidly and effectively into social outcomes, particularly in underserved and emerging markets.
Participants brought perspectives from across regions and sectors, reflecting a shared recognition that no single actor can address the opportunities and risks presented by AI alone. In his opening remarks, Badr Jafar highlighted the growing disconnect between the pace of AI innovation and its application to real-world social challenges. He emphasized the importance of aligning AI with social innovation to unlock transformative growth, citing the UAE's early investment in digital infrastructure and public-sector adoption as examples of successful implementation.
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of Frontier25 and The Climate Tribe, highlighted the societal impact generated by AI tools supporting climate adaptation. She stressed the ethical responsibility to use AI with intentionality and transparency, particularly to benefit vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by extreme weather and rising temperatures.
Huda Al Hashimi, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs, affirmed the UAE Government's commitment to deepening multilateral international cooperation in developing and governing AI-enabled technologies. She stressed that impact-driven innovation is vital in shaping the trajectory of AI development, maximizing its positive contributions while addressing future challenges.
Discussions focused on ensuring AI infrastructure narrows rather than deepens global divides, particularly as advanced computing resources remain concentrated in a few economies. Participants examined how incentives shape AI innovation adoption, noting the need for more capital directed towards applications addressing social and development challenges.
The session featured insights from leaders including H.R.H. Princess Beatrice, Ray Dalio, Musabbeh Al Kaabi, and others. They called for coordinated action to deliver positive social impact through structured collaboration between government, business, and philanthropy. The UAE was cited as an example of successful operationalization of this model through early adoption and sustained investment in skills and governance.
The discussion further explored AI's role in strengthening resilience and supporting proactive approaches amidst increasing strain on traditional development models. Participants shared perspectives on emerging AI applications in diagnostics, education, logistics, and localised service delivery.
The session was part of ongoing dialogue among partners to advance AI-enabled social innovation, with further engagement expected following the Annual Meeting. The prominence of AI in this year's programme reflects growing recognition of its critical role in shaping future growth, inclusion, and resilience.