Kuwait City – The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) has solidified its commitment to responsible artificial intelligence (AI) development, while the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has underscored the growing importance of digital technologies for economic growth, according to statements released this week.
The DCO concluded its fifth General Assembly on , with member states adopting the Kuwait Declaration on Responsible AI for Global Digital Prosperity. The declaration acknowledges AI’s potential to boost productivity and public services, but stresses the need for ethical governance to mitigate risks related to inequality, bias, privacy, and security. This commitment aligns with the DCO’s four-year agenda (2025-2028) focused on enabling “Digital Prosperity for All.”
The assembly, held in Kuwait City under the Presidency of the State of Kuwait, brought together ministers and representatives from DCO member states, observers, partners, and guest countries to review progress and coordinate initiatives. Key frameworks endorsed during the meeting include the Model Digital Economy Agreement and instruments designed to facilitate trusted cross-border data flows.
The focus on responsible AI comes as global concerns mount over the potential societal and economic disruptions caused by rapidly advancing AI technologies. The Kuwait Declaration signals a regional effort to proactively address these challenges through international cooperation and the establishment of clear ethical guidelines.
Simultaneously, the Secretary-General of the SCO, Nurlan Yermekbaev, delivered a video address to the 2nd International Forum on Digital Cooperation, also held in Kuwait City on . The forum’s theme, “Inclusive Prosperity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” reflects the growing recognition of AI’s transformative potential.
Yermekbaev emphasized that AI and digital technologies are increasingly vital drivers of economic growth and competitiveness, significantly impacting the development of nations. The SCO, he stated, reaffirms its commitment to promoting sustainable development in this evolving landscape.
The SCO’s approach is rooted in the “Shanghai Spirit” – a set of principles emphasizing mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and a shared pursuit of common development. Member states, representing nearly half of the world’s population and possessing substantial innovative capacity, are actively fostering cooperation in digitalization and AI, according to the SCO Secretary-General.
This cooperation is underpinned by declarations on artificial intelligence and the digital economy adopted at the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting in Tianjin, China, in . These declarations demonstrate a high level of political support from SCO leaders for these critical areas.
Both the DCO and the SCO acknowledge the inherent risks associated with the digital era. Yermekbaev highlighted concerns related to cybersecurity, data protection, and access to advanced technologies, stressing the need for strengthened regional and global cooperation to address these challenges. This echoes broader international discussions about the need for robust cybersecurity measures and international agreements to govern the responsible use of AI.
Kuwait’s own digital economy is undergoing significant transformation. The country’s Vision 2035 aims to diversify the economy away from oil and establish Kuwait as a regional financial hub, with digital transformation playing a central role. The ICT market was valued at $22.48 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $39.83 billion within the next five years, fueled by investments in areas such as cybersecurity, AI, the Internet of Things, big data, and cloud services. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this digitalization process across numerous industries.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as a whole is also prioritizing AI and digital economy strategies, as affirmed by GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC member states have adopted ambitious national strategies in these fields, signaling a broader regional commitment to leveraging digital technologies for economic growth and diversification.
The convergence of these initiatives – the DCO’s Kuwait Declaration, the SCO’s focus on digital cooperation, and the GCC’s national strategies – underscores a growing international consensus on the importance of responsible AI development and the need for collaborative efforts to harness the benefits of digital technologies while mitigating their risks. The emphasis on inclusivity and sustainable development suggests a desire to ensure that the benefits of the digital revolution are shared broadly, rather than exacerbating existing inequalities.
The DCO’s Model Digital Economy Agreement and efforts to enable trusted cross-border data flows are particularly noteworthy, as they represent concrete steps towards creating a more interconnected and interoperable global digital economy. These initiatives could facilitate trade, investment, and innovation, while also addressing concerns about data privacy and security.
As AI continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, international cooperation and the development of shared ethical frameworks will be crucial to ensuring that this powerful technology is used for the benefit of all.
