The 2026 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum, held in Geneva from 6-10 July, brought together governments, industry, academia, civil society and international organisations to explore the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation.
Organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), this year’s Forum placed particular emphasis on AI governance, international digital cooperation and implementation of the United Nations’ Global Digital Compact. As governments and institutions around the world grapple with the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, discussions increasingly focused not only on technological capability but also on ethics, accountability and responsible governance.
For IFIP, the Forum provided an important opportunity to contribute to these global conversations while reinforcing our long-standing commitment to human-centred computing, professional responsibility and the ethical application of digital technologies.
Preparing the Workforce of the Future
IFIP’s principal contribution to the program was a well-attended session, “The Workforce of the Future,” featuring members of the IP3 Global Industry Council.
The session explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping professional practice and examined the knowledge, capabilities and ethical foundations that tomorrow’s digital workforce will require. Audience participation was enthusiastic, with discussions continuing well beyond the formal session as delegates shared perspectives on the future of professional practice in an AI-enabled world.
The session reflected one of IFIP’s enduring priorities: ensuring that technological progress is accompanied by an equally strong commitment to professional competence, ethics and responsible leadership.
IFIP at WSIS
Although the IFIP delegation was smaller than in previous years, IFIP maintained a visible presence throughout the Forum.
Visitors regularly stopped at the IFIP exhibition booth to learn more about the organisation’s work, while meetings and informal discussions provided valuable opportunities to strengthen relationships with representatives from the ITU, UNESCO, IFIP Member Societies and the broader international ICT community.
WSIS 2026 also enabled renewed engagement with colleagues from across the global technology sector, including representatives from IFIP’s China Member Society and senior ITU officials with long-standing connections to the Federation.
AI Governance is About People as Much as Technology
A highlight of the WSIS Forum’s High-Level Track was the Ministerial Roundtable on AI Strategy and Policy, where ministers, regulators, chief executive officers, ambassadors and leaders of international organisations explored how countries can strengthen international cooperation in the development and governance of artificial intelligence.
(Caption: Delegates to the WSIS 2026 Ministerial Roundtable. Image credit: WSIS website)
A recurring theme throughout the discussions was that AI governance extends well beyond technical innovation. Questions of accountability, transparency, regulation and human oversight are becoming increasingly important as AI systems influence decision-making across governments, organisations and society.
This perspective was reflected in a statement delivered by the Vatican City State, which observed that “the use of AI is never a purely technical matter” and called for clearly defined responsibility throughout the design, development and deployment of AI systems. The statement also highlighted the importance of robust legal frameworks, independent oversight and continued international dialogue to ensure AI advances the common good while protecting human dignity.
These themes closely align with IFIP’s enduring commitment to ensuring that advances in computing are guided not only by technical excellence, but also by sound professional judgement, ethical leadership and consideration of their broader societal impact.
Looking Ahead
The conversations throughout WSIS Forum 2026 demonstrated that international attention is increasingly shifting from what AI can do to how it should be governed.
For decades, IFIP has contributed to these discussions through its Technical Committees, Working Groups, conferences and international community of experts. Its work has consistently recognised that technology alone cannot determine the future. That responsibility rests with the people who design, develop, deploy and govern it.
As the global community continues to shape the future of digital technologies, IFIP remains well placed to contribute its unique combination of technical expertise, professional standards and international collaboration to one of the defining conversations of our time.
(Caption: IFIP IP3 Global Industry Council members on stage at WSIS Forum. Image supplied)