AI Diplomacy and Digital Governance

Digital technologies and artificial intelligence are increasingly shaping how agrifood systems deliver food security, climate resilience, and sustainable rural development.

From climate and weather forecasting to natural resource management and market information systems, digital innovation is helping transform the way food is produced, distributed and consumed, creating new opportunities to improve productivity, strengthen resilience, support evidence-based decision-making and enhance food security and nutrition.

At the same time, the rapid development of artificial intelligence is raising important questions related to access, inclusion, transparency and the equitable use of technology. Ensuring that digital transformation, now powered by AI, benefits all, particularly small-scale producers, rural communities –including women and youth- and developing countries, is essential to reducing digital divides and advancing sustainable development.

As a leading hub for multilateral cooperation, Geneva plays a crucial role in international discussions on digital and AI governance, shaping the norms for the future of emerging technologies. These discussions are increasingly relevant to agrifood systems and to global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

FAO supports Members and partners to harness digital transformation and AI for agrifood systems by promoting responsible, human-centred technology use, with a strong focus on inclusion and on reaching those most affected by digital and AI divides. FAO’s approach emphasizes that digital and AI governance should connect policy and standards discussions with implementation realities in countries and along agrifood value chains.

FAO also develops and showcases practical digital and AI-enabled tools that strengthen decision-making, knowledge access, and last-mile delivery of advisory services—demonstrating how trusted data and responsible AI can be applied for food security, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods.

Building on FAO’s technical leadership in digital transformation and responsible AI for agrifood systems, the FAO Office in Geneva (LOG) has expanded its activities at the science–policy–diplomacy interface, enhancing in‑house expertise on AI governance, technology foresight, and digital diplomacy and engaging proactively with global AI governance processes, permanent missions, and international partners based in International Geneva.

LOG helps therefore to ensure that global digital and AI governance discussions translate into visible, coherent FAO positioning and practical impact for Members and partners through structured engagement—so that innovation remains inclusive, responsible, and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This reinforces LOG’s ability to position agrifood systems and food security considerations within emerging global AI governance debates and to leverage Geneva’s multilateral ecosystem to advance FAO’s strategic priorities in this rapidly evolving domain.

LOG centralizes and coordinates FAO’s digital and AI governance engagement in Geneva by:

Aligning messaging and strengthening partnerships across Geneva-based international organizations and stakeholders to promote coherent approaches to AI governance for agrifood systems.
Connecting technical expertise and diplomatic engagement, helping ensure FAO’s contributions are consistent, visible, and actionable across global platforms.
Supporting a coordinated “One FAO” approach, bringing together relevant FAO entities and partners to advance responsible digital transformation and AI governance that addresses real agrifood system needs.

World Summit on Information Societies (WSIS)

Since 2003, WSIS provides a global platform to advance inclusive digital societies and connect digital policy discussions with development outcomes. LOG supports FAO’s engagement by promoting solutions that bridge the last mile and strengthen access to knowledge and services.

FAO contributions include recognized initiatives such as the Digital Services Portfolio (DSP), awarded at the WSIS Prizes 2024 as a WSIS Champion, which delivers localized, AI-enabled advisory services to farmers or the FAO Food Loss App (FLAPP), FAO data-driven tool designed to help farmers, companies, producer associations, and cooperatives make informed decisions to reduce food losses that received the same distinction in 2025.

AI For Good

Since 2017, the AI for Good Global Summit brings together global stakeholders to explore how emerging technologies can accelerate progress on the SDGs.

FAO promotes AI with purpose and equity, highlighting real-world use cases in agriculture – from early warning systems to farmer advisory tools – while advancing responsible AI governance principles such as inclusion, transparency and fairness.

LOG supports FAO’s coordinated participation through:

Policy and experts dialogues on responsible AI for food security
Cross-agency collaboration (including Rome-Based Agencies)
Demonstrations of AI-powered tools (e.g. Tellus, DSP Farmer AI)

Global Dialogue on AI Governance

FAO engages in global AI governance discussions to ensure that agrifood system priorities – food security, sustainability, and rural development – are reflected in broader digital policies.

LOG facilitates coordination across Geneva-based stakeholders to ensure FAO’s contributions are strategically positioned, technically grounded, and aligned with multilateral processes.