As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves from conversational tools to autonomous systems capable of making decisions and completing tasks independently, the United Nations’ digital technology agency has launched a global initiative aimed at strengthening trust in AI agents.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) announced the formation of a dedicated focus group that will bring together experts from governments, industry, academia and standards bodies to develop international recommendations for the safe and responsible use of AI agents.
The initiative was unveiled during the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva and reflects growing efforts to establish governance frameworks for a new generation of AI systems capable of acting with greater autonomy.
Unlike conventional AI assistants that primarily generate responses based on user prompts, AI agents are designed to perform complex, multi-step tasks with limited human intervention. Their increasing adoption across enterprise functions has raised important questions around accountability, transparency, identity verification and human oversight.
According to the ITU, the focus group will work on developing practical guidance to improve trust in AI agents, including mechanisms that help ensure these systems remain transparent, identifiable and accountable throughout their deployment.
The group’s first meeting is scheduled to take place in Paris this November, followed by another session in Geneva in January, where members are expected to begin drafting recommendations for international standards.
The initiative comes at a time when organisations across sectors are accelerating investments in agentic AI to automate workflows, improve productivity and enhance customer interactions. However, policymakers and technology experts have increasingly warned that governance mechanisms have not kept pace with the rapid advancement of autonomous AI capabilities.
The announcement also aligns with broader discussions taking place at the AI for Good Summit, where global leaders have emphasised the need for international collaboration to ensure AI technologies are developed and deployed responsibly.
As AI agents become more deeply integrated into enterprise operations, the ITU’s initiative is expected to contribute to ongoing global efforts to establish common principles for transparency, accountability and responsible AI governance.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.