Press conference on mind-controlled machines at ITU’s AI for Good Global Summit 2024

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ITU's upcoming AI for Good Global Summit will include a press conference featuring breakthroughs in brain-machine interfaces and exoskeletons, technologies that create new prospects to improve the lives of persons with disabilities.

The interactive showcase of mind-controlled machines powered by artificial intelligence (AI) will take place at the International Conference Center Geneva (CICG), in Geneva, Switzerland, from 13:00 to 14:00 CEST on Friday, 31 May. Remote participation is available with media accreditation.

At the press conference, experts will demonstrate technologies using AI to translate brain waves into written and spoken words, computer vision technology adapted from self-driving cars to assist the visually impaired, and mind-controlled robotic prosthetics that will include an AI-powered exoskeleton for people with severely limited mobility to walk again.

Technology innovators presenting at the press event:​

• Pedro Vasco, CEO at Unbabel Halo
• Chieko Asakawa, IBM Fellow
• Andreas Forsland, CEO at Cognixion
• José del R. Millán, Professor at The University of Texas, Austin
• Nicolas Simon, Founder and Chairman at Wandercraft
• Olivier Oullier, CEO at Inclusive Brains
• Cornel Amariei, CEO at .lumen

• Meeting mind-controlled machines and their creators

  During the AI for Good Global Summit, reporters are invited to cover public talks highlighting the growing potential for brain-machine interfaces and exoskeletons to restore personal mobility and communication capabilities, support mental health and wellbeing, and enable enhanced physical and intellectual performance.

  The summit's "Meeting of Minds " performance will blend artistic and scientific endeavours by displaying real-time visual projections of dancers' brain activity.

  A workshop led by experts on brain-machine interfaces will explore current uses for the technology, the potential impacts of the latest innovations, as well as the governance dimensions of the field.
  

  The UN platform for AI solutions

  The AI for Good Global Summit is led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN Agency for Digital Technologies, and organized in partnership with 40 partner UN agencies and co-convened by the Government of Switzerland.

  ​The summit will open in Geneva on 29 May with AI for Good's first dedicated AI Governance Day to discuss how best to implement principled AI frameworks while ensuring that no country is left behind.​

  ​AI for Good identifies practical applications of AI to accelerate progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals and connects AI innovators with public and private-sector decision-makers to help scale up AI solutions globally.

  Summit speakers, including some of the world's most recognized voices on AI, will explore the latest breakthroughs in AI and examine actions to ensure that AI works to humanity's benefit.

  Alongside expert talks, machine learning workshops and demos of cutting-edge AI solutions will showcase innovations in generative AI, robotics, and brain-machine interfaces that can accelerate progress in areas such as climate action, accessibility, health, and disaster response.

  Registration for media accreditation for reporters wishing to cover the AI for Good Global Summit, including AI Governance Day is open. Registration for the public is also open and free of charge.

  Brain-machine interface and AI-powered accessibility demos at the summit's expo will include:​

• Wheelchair controlled by upper body motion without hands (ETH Zurich)
• One-horsepower exoskeleton for everyday adventure (Hypershell)
• Autonomous exoskeleton for natural, unassisted walking (Wandercraft)
• Highly dexterous bionic hand (Esper Bionics)
• Mind-controlled speech-generating device (Cognixion)
• Mind-controlled hand exoskeleton (The University of Texas at Austin)
• Glasses empowering blind people with more mobility (.lumen)
• Lower limb exoskeleton enabling people to walk again (Autonomyo)
• Smart co-pilot for blind and visually impaired people (biped.ai)
• Neuroprosthesis using functional neuromuscular control for neuro-injured individuals (Kurage)
• Light and easy-to-attach hand exoskeleton (Emovo)
• Brain wave activity measurement headphones (Neurable)
• Mind-controlled wearable device restoring communications capabilities (Unbabel Halo)
• Neuroimaging headset for monitoring of the cortical brain activity (Kernel)
• Mind-controlled exoskeleton arm (Inclusive Brains)

• Registrants can attend either in person or online to connect with an expected 2,500 participants in Geneva and over 27,000 professionals worldwide who are part of the AI for Good Neural Network.

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  Editor's notes:​

• Reporters wishing to cover the press conference, the AI Governance Day and the AI for Good Global Summit 2024 register here.
• AI Governance Day and AI for Good 2024 media accreditation is also accepted for the WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event. A single media badge will be issued for all events.
• Discover the AI Governance Day and AI for Good 2024 agenda here.
• The list of speakers can be found here.
• For registration questions, please contact [email protected].

• Resources: ​

• Learn more about AI and brain-machine interfaces for accessibility through this video.
• Press release (1 Feb): ITU's AI for Good Global Summit 2024 puts tech to the test for people and planet
• Press release (16 May): ITU's AI for Good Global Summit hosts talks on AI governance
• Follow the conversation on social media using the hashtag #AIforGood.
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• About ITU​
  

  The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), driving innovation in ICTs together with 193 Member States and a membership of over 1,000 companies, universities, and international and regional organizations. Established in 1865, it is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based earth monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world. Learn more: www.itu.int.