T20 Summit Roundtables

Business Suite 6, Sandton Sun, Johannesburg

Breaking Barriers: Capacity, Data, and Inclusion in AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming economies and societies, yet its development remains concentrated in a few hands, limiting broader access to its benefits. Biases embedded in AI systems—stemming from data, design, and deployment—risk amplifying social inequities by excluding marginalized communities, non-dominant languages, and diverse identities. If unaddressed, these biases could entrench structural discrimination within technologies meant to drive progress.

Driving Questions

• What strategies can ensure AI’s benefits are widely shared rather than captured by a few dominant actors?
• How can targeted investments and enabling policies accelerate sustainable AI capacity in the Global South?
• What mechanisms are needed to embed cultural and linguistic diversity into AI development?
• What role should public–private partnerships play in financing inclusive and responsible AI ecosystems?

Speakers

• Alison Gillwald, Distinguished Fellow, Research ICT Africa
• Maarten Smeets, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, World Trade Institute
• Paul Samson, President, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
• Stephanie Diepeveen, Senior Research Fellow, ODI

Moderator

• Sameer Patil, Director, Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology, Observer Research Foundation

Business Suite 7, Sandton Sun, Johannesburg

Continental Connectivity: Recalibrating Trade

Thinking about connectivity in terms of supply corridors—for instance, corridors for critical minerals—is one way to ensure that the business of connectivity receives the attention it deserves. Directing investment in connectivity to secure access to critical raw materials, including critical minerals, is becoming increasingly vital.

Equally important is the need to create value within the regions that own these raw materials, rather than merely facilitating their movement. In the African context, this means creating value in Africa, for Africa. Such mineral corridors can also be complemented by technological corridors, strengthening the continent’s position within global trade networks.

Driving Questions

• How can G20 countries collaborate to enable investment in new trade corridors?
• How has the African Continental Free Trade Area changed the game? What is the continent’s potential as both a market and a producer, and how can it be harnessed through better infrastructure?
• Can private capital be leveraged to build this infrastructure, or is public funding inevitable?

Speakers

• Abla Abdel Latif, Executive Director and Director of Research, The Egyptian Center for Economic Studies (ECES)
• Antonio Villafranca, Vice President for Research, Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI)
• Luciana Servo, President, Institute of Applied Economic Research (IPEA)
• Céline Kauffmann, Chief Programmes Officer, IDDRI, France
• Maarten Smeets, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, World Trade Institute

Moderator

• Jhanvi Tripathi, Associate Fellow, Observer Research Foundation