On June 6, as part of the Global Digital Forum in Nizhny Novgorod, the session “AI for Good: Practical Applications of AI to Ensure Equal Opportunities” was held with the support of the Center for Global IT Cooperation. Experts explored how artificial intelligence technologies can contribute to sustainable development — provided they are used safely, ethically, and responsibly.
The session took place within the thematic track “Bridging the Digital Divide.” Moderated by Andrey Neznamov, Managing Director of the Human-Centered AI Center at Sberbank, the discussion brought together participants from Russia, Cuba, China, Namibia, Japan, and other countries engaged in shaping the global digital agenda.
One of the core issues discussed was AI safety. Participants emphasized that trust in intelligent systems is impossible without algorithmic transparency, data protection, and mechanisms for preventing misuse. Ethical risks must be addressed with technical solutions — including safeguarding models against manipulation, combating disinformation, and ensuring privacy.
A strong focus was placed on the need for international AI safety standards. Without shared rules and certification mechanisms, a secure global digital environment cannot be built. At the same time, the risk of overregulation was also raised — the consensus being that regulatory approaches should remain flexible and account for country-specific conditions.
Jabrail Matiev, Marketing Director for Russia and CIS at Kaspersky Lab, noted that the company has used AI to block cyber threats for over a decade and is developing frameworks for responsible AI deployment, including generative models. According to him, such technologies not only enhance infrastructure protection but also help democratize cybersecurity by lowering the entry threshold for professionals. “Ethical AI begins with secure AI. Without data protection and resistance to manipulation, neither users nor organizations will trust technology. Security is the foundation upon which everything else is built,” Matiev stressed.
Anton Vladzimirskiy, Director of Digital Healthcare Solutions at the Moscow Department of Health, presented a large-scale experiment on integrating AI into the city’s healthcare system. Over five years, more than 200 AI solutions were tested, 14 million diagnostic studies processed, and tariffs for the national insurance system developed based on the results. The use of AI freed doctors from routine data analysis, particularly in radiology, allowing them to focus on complex clinical challenges.
Seizo Onoe, Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), highlighted the need for global AI standardization. The organization has already developed more than 200 standards and is working to engage developing countries in the global AI agenda through coalition-building, training, and best practice dissemination.
Wang Yijing, Director of the Expertise Center of the Global Industrial AI Alliance, pointed out that the digital divide is evolving into an “AI divide.” According to her, the Alliance is building an ecosystem of partnerships and educational initiatives to ensure new technologies benefit not only wealthy nations but also regions where AI potential remains untapped.
Rafael Torralbas Espeleta, Deputy Director for Science and Innovation at Cuba’s Ministry of Higher Education, spoke about Cuba’s experience using AI in healthcare, public administration, and biopharma. Despite limited resources, the country is prioritizing the training of qualified professionals and adhering to ethical principles of digital transformation. He noted that Cuba’s main national asset is its human capital and well-developed higher education system.
A unique perspective was shared by Flip de Bruyn, Founder and CEO of Future CC and Board Member of the International Esports Federation. He highlighted the challenges of applying AI in developing countries, pointing to infrastructure gaps — including access to electricity and the internet — as well as the importance of education and digital inclusion. In Namibia, he explained, esports is being used as a gateway to digital culture for young people, and AI helps localize educational content for remote communities.
The session concluded with a discussion of future risks. Moderator Andrey Neznamov posed an open question: “Is AI a threat to humanity?” Opinions differed, but most speakers agreed that if technology is developed and implemented responsibly, its benefits far outweigh the risks. As Wang Yijing emphasized, “Education is the key to a better future,” especially when grounded in humanistic knowledge.
The session became another milestone in the international dialogue on the future of AI — a future where technology serves society and does not deepen existing divides. Participants agreed that the key to this future lies in balancing development with responsibility, innovation with ethics, and global cooperation with digital sovereignty.
The session took place within the thematic track “Bridging the Digital Divide.” Moderated by Andrey Neznamov, Managing Director of the Human-Centered AI Center at Sberbank, the discussion brought together participants from Russia, Cuba, China, Namibia, Japan, and other countries engaged in shaping the global digital agenda.
One of the core issues discussed was AI safety. Participants emphasized that trust in intelligent systems is impossible without algorithmic transparency, data protection, and mechanisms for preventing misuse. Ethical risks must be addressed with technical solutions — including safeguarding models against manipulation, combating disinformation, and ensuring privacy.
A strong focus was placed on the need for international AI safety standards. Without shared rules and certification mechanisms, a secure global digital environment cannot be built. At the same time, the risk of overregulation was also raised — the consensus being that regulatory approaches should remain flexible and account for country-specific conditions.
Jabrail Matiev, Marketing Director for Russia and CIS at Kaspersky Lab, noted that the company has used AI to block cyber threats for over a decade and is developing frameworks for responsible AI deployment, including generative models. According to him, such technologies not only enhance infrastructure protection but also help democratize cybersecurity by lowering the entry threshold for professionals. “Ethical AI begins with secure AI. Without data protection and resistance to manipulation, neither users nor organizations will trust technology. Security is the foundation upon which everything else is built,” Matiev stressed.
Anton Vladzimirskiy, Director of Digital Healthcare Solutions at the Moscow Department of Health, presented a large-scale experiment on integrating AI into the city’s healthcare system. Over five years, more than 200 AI solutions were tested, 14 million diagnostic studies processed, and tariffs for the national insurance system developed based on the results. The use of AI freed doctors from routine data analysis, particularly in radiology, allowing them to focus on complex clinical challenges.
Seizo Onoe, Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), highlighted the need for global AI standardization. The organization has already developed more than 200 standards and is working to engage developing countries in the global AI agenda through coalition-building, training, and best practice dissemination.
Wang Yijing, Director of the Expertise Center of the Global Industrial AI Alliance, pointed out that the digital divide is evolving into an “AI divide.” According to her, the Alliance is building an ecosystem of partnerships and educational initiatives to ensure new technologies benefit not only wealthy nations but also regions where AI potential remains untapped.
Rafael Torralbas Espeleta, Deputy Director for Science and Innovation at Cuba’s Ministry of Higher Education, spoke about Cuba’s experience using AI in healthcare, public administration, and biopharma. Despite limited resources, the country is prioritizing the training of qualified professionals and adhering to ethical principles of digital transformation. He noted that Cuba’s main national asset is its human capital and well-developed higher education system.
A unique perspective was shared by Flip de Bruyn, Founder and CEO of Future CC and Board Member of the International Esports Federation. He highlighted the challenges of applying AI in developing countries, pointing to infrastructure gaps — including access to electricity and the internet — as well as the importance of education and digital inclusion. In Namibia, he explained, esports is being used as a gateway to digital culture for young people, and AI helps localize educational content for remote communities.
The session concluded with a discussion of future risks. Moderator Andrey Neznamov posed an open question: “Is AI a threat to humanity?” Opinions differed, but most speakers agreed that if technology is developed and implemented responsibly, its benefits far outweigh the risks. As Wang Yijing emphasized, “Education is the key to a better future,” especially when grounded in humanistic knowledge.
The session became another milestone in the international dialogue on the future of AI — a future where technology serves society and does not deepen existing divides. Participants agreed that the key to this future lies in balancing development with responsibility, innovation with ethics, and global cooperation with digital sovereignty.
