The U7+ Presidential Summit is the annual meeting of the U7+ Alliance, the first coalition of university presidents from Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Africa dedicated to defining concrete, collective actions universities can take to address global challenges, in coordination with government leaders in G7 countries and beyond. This year, hosted by the University of Ottawa, 42 Universities from 16 countries accounting for 85 participants including 37 Presidents came together for the 7th edition of the U7+ Presidential Summit.
In preparation for the G7 Summit in Kananaskis in June 2025, the role of Universities in advancing Artificial Intelligence has been designated as the central theme guiding the Alliance’s initiatives throughout the academic year and leading up to the 2025 Summit. This focus on AI governance has proven to be particularly timely, as highlighted by the recent AI Summit held in Paris, which underscored the global urgency and significance of addressing this critical issue.
In a Communiqué entitled “The Role of Universities in Advancing AI”, 40 university presidents from 16 countries came together to highlight the role higher education institutions should have in contributing to a responsible AI development. This document was officially delivered to the Canadian government.
President Meric Gertler from the University of Toronto and U7+ Alliance Chair, remarks that, “universities are playing a key role in the development of responsible, transparent, and democratic AI. Our scholars have pioneered this rapidly advancing technology, and equally, bring expert knowledge of innovation policy from a social, legal, and political perspective. Together, with governments, we can ensure AI is used to the benefit of all.”
AI has been at the forefront of G7 discussions for the past several years. U7+’s communique aligns with commitments from the G7 on the adoption of trustworthy AI to increase economic productivity, training on the use of AI in the public sector, new applications of AI to drive improvements in areas such as human health and energy transitions, as well as AI governance. Building on these discussions, the OECD launched a global framework in February 2025 to monitor the application of the Hiroshima AI Process Code of Conduct, promoting transparency and accountability in AI development. The AI Action Summit, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paved the way indicating that AI will continue to be a significant focus in international discussions during this year's G7 summit.
In their Communiqué, the Presidents of U7+ reaffirmed their commitment to continuing to drive new innovations in Artificial Intelligence while offering expertise in addressing its impacts. Universities, as independent actors guided by research, education, and service to communities, are uniquely positioned to play a leading role in shaping AI governance. They are dedicated to collaborating with G7 leaders to ensure that AI benefits societies globally, with a focus on training and collaborations globally, as well as raising awareness and contributing to transparent guidelines for its ethical use. Additionally, the Alliance urges governments to support universities in AI research, invest in AI training, and establish platforms for North-South collaboration.
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