First Day of the GDF: International AI Rules and the Search for Business Partners
Russia has proposed using the United Nations as a central platform for developing international rules for artificial intelligence. The idea was put forward on October 8, the first day of the 2nd Global Digital Forum (GDF), which opened at the Mechta venue in Moscow. The event is expected to draw 700 foreign guests from 110 countries.
AI: Economic Impact and Common Rules
At the forum’s “The AI Race: One Set of Rules or Many?” plenary session, participants discussed how artificial intelligence should be regulated. Should there be common international rules, or should each country develop its own approach?
During the discussion, Dmitry Grigorenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Chief of Staff of the Government of the Russian Federation, said artificial intelligence is becoming a powerful tool that can help governments address a wide range of tasks. But as AI use expands, rules are needed, and countries currently take different approaches to developing them. That can create problems. Like other experts, he believes that the rollout of new technologies should go hand in hand with clearly defined rules for how they can be used.
Alexander Alimov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, proposed discussing international AI regulation on a universal basis. Such an approach would give all countries an opportunity to present their positions and defend their interests. In the diplomat’s view, the United Nations should serve as the platform for these discussions. He linked closed-door negotiations among limited groups of countries to the risk of “digital neocolonialism,” which leaves countries with fewer infrastructure and financial resources on the sidelines. An organization that could help develop AI rules already exists: the World Organization for Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence. The founding document was signed in Shanghai on July 16, 2026, by 29 countries, including Russia, and the number of participating countries has since grown to 38.
One of the next practical steps in implementing a systematic approach to AI should be the October 9 ceremony for Russian and foreign organizations joining the Code of Ethics in the Field of Artificial Intelligence. The document is based on four core principles: human-centeredness, safety, responsibility and transparency in the development and use of AI. At the first forum, held in 2025, organizations from 22 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America joined the initiative to establish the Code.
At a separate session, experts discussed information security, including international cooperation in this area and joint exercises to counter cyber threats.
Responsibility for AI-Generated Content Should Remain With Humans
At the “Humans Need Humans: Trust in Media in the Age of AI” panel discussion, participants examined the implications of automated content production. IT entrepreneur Mikhail Skobenko said one of the main problems is how convincing AI-generated content can be: neural networks can quickly produce reports, images and videos that look credible, while the ability to verify information is not keeping pace with how quickly it spreads. In his view, the technology can speed up data processing, but responsibility for the result must remain with a human.
The discussion brought together Russian and international experts, including Bangladeshi researcher and developer Md. Saddam Hossain Roni, Srdjana Janosevic, Reviewing Editor at the Seychelles News Agency, and Ikram Zaoudi, Director and Expert at the Global Fact-Checking Network. Participants discussed not only content creation but also the impact of recommendation algorithms on information feeds and the risks of replacing human communication with interactions with AI systems.
Srdjana Janosevic outlined a practical approach to using AI: algorithms can help with translation, transcription and preparing materials, while investigations, professional judgment and editorial decisions require experience and an understanding of context. In her view, using AI systems does not relieve journalists of the responsibility to correct factual errors.
What Do International Participants Expect From the Forum?
The Global Digital Forum offers extensive opportunities: it brings together government institutions, technology companies and the expert community, with international participants making up a significant share of those attending. Their interests range from workforce training and media literacy to agricultural technology, education and digitalization. More than 700 foreign guests from 110 countries are expected to attend the event.
Fabrice Kaburugutu, founder of an association of young leaders from Burundi, hopes to finalize an action plan with Russian partners and establish new connections for work in media literacy and sustainable development. Representatives from Bangladesh see opportunities for cooperation in energy, agricultural technology and education, while Evariste Ngamana, Minister of State of the Central African Republic, identified developing the country’s own digital workforce as an important outcome of its partnership with Russia. International participants are looking not only to acquire products but also to develop expertise within their own countries.
An exhibition program has been organized to provide a setting for detailed discussions of new technologies: the forum website lists more than 50 IT companies and more than 2,000 square meters of exhibition space. Alongside the discussions, the forum offers educational events, an IT journalism school and workshops for bloggers.
The first day set out the main priorities for further work: developing rules for the use of AI, supporting developing countries and finding partners for practical projects. The next few days will show which initiatives receive formal backing and move forward, and which remain topics for discussion.
