DEFIA Statement of Intent: Human-Centric Artificial Intelligence and Artificial General Intelligence

GeSI is pleased to share the release of a new Statement of Intent from the Digital Education for Impact Alliance (DEFIA), calling for stronger human-centric boundaries for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). 

Launched within the GeSI ecosystem, DEFIA brings together educators, experts, students, private-sector partners and other stakeholders to explore how education can help societies respond to digital transformation in a more inclusive, responsible and sustainable way. 

The new Statement of Intent reflects this mission. It highlights the importance of ensuring that AI and AGI development supports human wellbeing, aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and serves society as a whole. 

As AI systems become more powerful and more widely used, education has a central role to play. Universities, faculty and students are not only users of AI technologies; they can also help shape how these technologies are understood, evaluated and guided. 

The statement calls on governments, international organisations, students and the private sector to work together to support responsible AI development. It encourages stronger cooperation on areas such as regulation, safety, accountability, cybersecurity, cloud and compute governance, and independent evaluation. 

It also invites students to take an active role as co-creators, evaluators and future stewards of AI systems. By engaging critically with AI in their fields of study and future professions, students can help ensure that emerging technologies remain aligned with human-centred values and long-term social benefit. 

For the private sector, the statement encourages continued dialogue and action, with a focus on ethical AI, transparent accountability systems and measurable positive impact. 

“Education has a vital role to play in helping societies understand, question and shape the future of AI. Through DEFIA, we want to bring educators, students, industry and partners into a shared conversation about how AI can support learning, wellbeing and sustainable development. This Statement of Intent is an important step in that direction.”
— Veerle Vandeweerd, Director, DEFIA 

Through this Statement of Intent, DEFIA reaffirms its commitment to moving from reflection to action. By connecting academic insight, student agency and private-sector experience, DEFIA aims to contribute to the development of knowledge, tools and guardrails that allow AI to become a trustworthy force for good. 

Read the full Statement of Intent below.