Smart Technology, Fair Finance – The Promise and Risks of AI for Sustainable Development

As digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) reshape global economies, the need for responsible AI governance and inclusive standards has become urgent. Without their careful alignment with sustainable and equitable finance, digital innovations risk deepening divides or reinforcing inequities. Organized by ACM and taking place at the International Conference on Financing for Development, this session will explore how strategic investments in digital infrastructure, ethical AI deployment, and climate-smart technologies can drive more inclusive economic growth. It will also highlight the risks of digital exclusion and unintended harms when AI and digital systems are poorly governed.

The ACM "Smart Technology, Fair Finance" event will take place on 2 July 2025, 14:00 – 15:30 CEST. To join the event click here.

Background and Rationale

As digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) reshape global economies, the need for responsible governance and inclusive standards has become urgent. The UN’s Financing for Development process emphasises sustainable, equitable finance, yet without careful alignment, digital innovations risk deepening divides or reinforcing inequities.

Representing the largest global network of computing professionals (researchers, practitioners, educators, tech policy makers), ACM believes that responsible tech/AI governance and robust digital standards are critical enablers of fair, sustainable development finance. This session will explore how strategic investments in digital infrastructure, ethical AI deployment, and climatesmart technologies can drive more inclusive economic growth. It will also highlight the risks of digital exclusion and unintended harms when AI and digital systems are poorly governed.

Objectives

UN's Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) is happening at a critical global juncture, where the geopolitical landscape is increasingly marked by fragmentation, rising inequalities, and uneven access to digital infrastructure. At the same time, mobilising sustainable, equitable finance is essential to meeting the SDGs, but new digital technologies and AI are reshaping the landscape in complex ways, by transforming economies at an unprecedented pace and often outstripping governance mechanisms. Representing the largest global network of technical experts, ACM recognises that responsible AI governance and robust digital standards are essential for ensuring that development finance mechanisms are effective, inclusive, and sustainable.

This session’s objectives are anchored in FfD4’s goals: to show how ethical, well-governed AI can strengthen development finance outcomes, to advance strategies for financing inclusive digital public goods, and to highlight the risks of unchecked digital divides. Drawing on technical expertise from ACM’s global network, the session will connect responsible digital innovation directly to the success of future development finance frameworks. The session will also examine how to align private sector incentives, particularly in technology and financial services, with public interest goals, ensuring that digital innovation supports long-term, inclusive development outcomes.

To advance these goals, this session will focus on four key objectives:

• Showcase how AI governance and international standards can align with and advance global development finance goals.
• Discuss innovative, equitable financing strategies to support digital infrastructure in under-resourced countries and regions.
• Explore the application of AI in climate finance, supporting green transitions and sustainable development.
• Raise awareness about the risks of digital exclusion and emphasise the need for ethical, inclusive AI systems in development finance frameworks.
• Discuss context-specific digital financing challenges in the Global South, highlighting locally led solutions and regional innovation ecosystems.
• Advance strategies for financing inclusive digital public goods and digital public infrastructure (DPI), including open, interoperable systems for identity, payments, and data exchange.

Expected Outcomes

• A shared understanding of how responsible AI practices can strengthen the impact of development finance initiatives.
• Identification of actionable strategies to finance digital infrastructure that is ethical, inclusive, and sustainable.
• Greater visibility for the role of technical expertise, particularly from ACM’s global network, in shaping effective and responsible finance policies.
• Raised awareness among policymakers, financiers, and tech leaders of the risks associated with poorly governed AI and digital systems.
• Increased recognition of the human rights and democratic governance implications of digital financial systems, with a focus on civic participation, transparency, and accountability.