The Intersection of AI and Those Living 200 Years Behind
Currently, there are 152 developing countries with a combined population of approximately 6.82 billion people. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that more than 110 million people are forcibly displaced globally—a record high.
While AI and digital technologies are progressing at an exponential pace, a stark question confronts us:
How do we, as digital leaders, ensure that this progress does not deepen the divide, but instead becomes a bridge to dignity and opportunity for those living in conditions lagging 200 years behind?
This keynote centres on the ethical responsibility and global opportunity at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and human disparity. Duku Forè brings a deeply personal and professional lens to this topic—as someone who grew up in a refugee camp devoid of basic infrastructure and now runs a SaaS platform that empowers people from all walks of life to share their stories and pursue their dreams.
This keynote is not just a conversation about AI. It is a dialogue about humanity, responsibility, and the kind of digital future we choose to create. It challenges each of us to think beyond code and commerce, and toward compassion and shared progress.
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The Infrastructure Gap in the Age of AI
Advanced economies are building smart systems on top of robust infrastructure, while billions still lack access to electricity, internet, and reliable education. This section examines the real-world implications of that disparity and its impact on global equity in digital participation.
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Duku’s 200-Year Leap: A Personal Journey
Duku shares how growing up without basic tech, then leading a global SaaS platform, shaped his perspective on inclusion and justice in the digital age. His journey from exclusion to empowerment exemplifies why AI must be built with lived experience in mind.
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Algorithmic Power and Global Consequences
AI is no longer confined to the West. It is influencing decisions about migration, security, and education globally. This theme explores how algorithmic bias can marginalise entire populations—and why global AI ethics must be anchored in empathy, not efficiency.
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Human-Centred Leadership in a Machine Age
This final theme is a call to action for digital leaders. Duku will highlight what responsible innovation looks like, and how technologists, policymakers, and investors can champion systems that uphold dignity, agency, and shared prosperity.