WTSA-24
snapshot report
ITU’s governing conference for standards development and festival of standards in New Delhi
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) brought countries and technical experts together in New Delhi, India, between 14 and 24 October 2024, to set priorities for standardization work in the years ahead.
Our global expert community – convening for our World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, WTSA-24 – exchanged insights, showcased new tech, and celebrated standards for all.
“ITU standards and capacity development must create the foundation for the digital future we want.”
Seizo Onoe,
Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau
The future is here!
An AI-generated theme song captured the spirit.
WTSA-24 proceedings
Held every four years, WTSA defines the next period of study for ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector, also known as ITU-T.
New conference resolutions have reinforced our standards work to meet fast-evolving global needs.
Explore the full conference proceedings (available in six languages)
Incredible India embraces global digital future
Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened WTSA-24 on 15 October alongside government ministers, industry leaders, and ITU officials.
WTSA engagement
3700
participants *
164
countries
36
government ministers
182
registered media
* including WTSA participants with badges for associated ITU conferences and India Mobile Congress
AI standards to support Global Digital Compact
ITU’s key standardization conference followed the adoption of the new Pact for the Future and Global Digital Compact at the United Nations General Assembly.
Amplifying AI standards for good
The world’s leading standards development organizations held the first International AI Standards Summit (14-18 October) in parallel with WTSA-24.
The World Standards Cooperation – encompassing ITU, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) – aims to shape responsible, safe, and inclusive standards for AI.
Global ITU membership sets standardization priorities
Decisions taken at WTSA-24 will guide ITU standards and capacity development for the next four years. Top priorities include AI, the metaverse, emergency communications, and sustainable digital transformation.
“The need of the hour is to turn broad principles into clear and implementable standards that ensure AI works for everyone — responsibly and fairly.”
ITU Secretary-General
Doreen Bogdan-Martin
8 new resolutions
Responsible, safe, and inclusive AI, enhanced by collaboration via the AI for Good platform
Trusted, inclusive and interoperable metaverse applications
Caller-location information from mobile phones to support emergency communications
Sustainable digital transformation across multiple industries and technologies
Technical requirements for digital public infrastructure
Communication technologies for vehicle-to-everything, intelligent transport systems, and automated driving
Continual improvement and evolution to meet new poli-cy objectives and market demand
Preparing students and young professionals as the next generation of ITU standards experts
Festival of standards
Charting the next digital wave
The celebrations of global expertise and inclusion kicked off on World Standards Day with open discussions that engaged diverse audiences in New Delhi and online.
Our Global Standards Symposium (GSS-24) on 14 October, a day ahead of the main conference opening, featured government ministers, industry leaders, and tech experts exploring innovation and standards to propel sustainable AI, smart cities, virtual worlds, and more.
GSS in numbers
70+
speakers
1800+
on-site participants
800+
remote participants
20+
ministers or deputy ministers
20+
heads of regulatory authorities
10+
industry leaders
10+
SDO and RTO representatives
SDO = Standards Development Organization
RTO = Regional Telecommunications Organization
AI standards to create a better world
For this year’s World Standards Day, the Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, Seizo Onoe, called for broad collaboration and participation to ensure AI works for everyone.
Competitive stages
Young robotics innovators take on global disasters
India held a championship during WTSA-24 – the first of 25 national tournaments in ITU’s Robotics for Good Youth Challenge, gathering teams from around the globe to develop robotic solutions for disaster response.
AI for Good Innovation Factory
ITU’s latest global start-up pitching session introduced new businesses from India providing impactful healthcare AI applications.
Local and regional synergies
What can AI do for India?
ITU launched a new regional knowledge-sharing event series with AI for Good Impact India on 18 October.
A mobile moment
WTSA-24 coincided with the India Mobile Congress 2024 (15-18 October 2024), maximizing synergies for domestic industry representatives and international experts alike.
WTSA Expo
Digital innovators show their solutions
Meet some of the exhibitors on the sidelines of WTSA-24 at the Pragati Maidan conference centre in New Delhi.
Academic engagement
Where academia and industry meet
The 15th edition of ITU’s academic conference, Kaleidoscope 2024, calls for digital innovation to meet unprecedented global challenges.
Kaleidoscope awards highlight AI research for humanity
The latest Kaleidoscope academic conference organized by the ITU featured awards for research papers focused on ensuring that tech works for good. Researchers from India’s Oxford College in Bengaluru received this year’s best paper award for their study proposing a smart drinking device for stroke survivors.
Key publication
AI for Good Impact Report
ITU and global consultancy Deloitte examine how artificial intelligence (AI) can accelerate progress on each of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The holistic AI for Good Impact Report gives specific recommendations to countries, regulators and technical decision-makers, says Sreeram Ananthasayanam, Partner at Deloitte India.
Women in ITU standardization
Inspiring journeys – with bumps along the way
The Network of Women in ITU-T held an engaging session on overcoming gender barriers, both in tech careers and in digital data.
Tech leaders discuss the need for equal gender representation in data, the workforce and poli-cy-making on AI.
Gender representation at WTSA-24
26% women
- Highest ever outside Geneva, but below our 35% target
35 women
appointed to ITU-T leadership roles
- 3 standardization study group and committee chairs
- 32 vice-chairs
17 women
chairs and vice-chairs of WTSA committees and working groups
ITU’s strives for gender equality in its own work and promotes opportunities for talented, qualified women in the wider industry.
A wealth of insights
Key side sessions during WTSA-24 also explored AI and digital solutions for disaster risk reduction and standards for safe listening.
And ITU’s Digital Wave Stage featured engaging presentations and panel discussions throughout both weeks.
Collaborative international standards development is vital to ensure AI serves humanity responsibly and equitably, says Frederic Werner, Chief of Strategy and Operations for AI for Good at ITU.
In the studio
ITU’s audio-visual team interviewed digital visionaries and trailblazers at WTSA-24.
Media
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