The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) released a technical paper entitled 『Empowering SMEs through 4IR Technologies – Artificial Intelligence』. Building on the momentum of the 19th session of the UNIDO General Conference, this new publication represents the result of a joint effort of UNIDO, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and International Trade Centre (ITC), as a contribution to the work stream of the United Nations Inter-Agency Working Group on Artificial Intelligence (IAWG-AI).
The main aim of this work is to provide guidance to both small and medium enterprises (SMEs) located in developing countries, and business development services institutions, to facilitate the adoption and application of AI in their respective contexts. The paper revealed that the AI definitely has the potential to promote SMEs’ competitiveness and sustainability, both for improving services and manufacturing.
From a programmatic perspective, UNIDO is currently designing its Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Strategic Framework that will guide the Organization’s efforts to support its Member States in transitioning to the 4IR. As part of this strategic vision, AI is a key technology that UNIDO endeavours to further promote in Member States and this publication takes stock of UNIDO’s AI activities to-date.
In this regard, UNIDO is committed to promoting the use of advanced technologies in a multitude of sectors and contexts, as a way to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development worldwide.
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