Use AI responsibly for a better world, with Tshilidzi Marwala | UNU Rector | Awake at Night

Growing up in rural South Africa, Tshilidzi Marwala first learned about engineering from his grandmother’s handmade clay pots. Now rector of the United Nations University, the Under-Secretary-General is a vocal advocate of using artificial intelligence (AI) for good. “I would not trust AI. You are not supposed to trust AI. You are supposed to use it, always doubt it, always verify what it tells you, cross validate, so that you can be able to use it responsibly.” Education has been a driving force throughout Tshilidzi Marwala’s life, alongside the seismic transitions he has witnessed in his native country and around the world. “We [returned to South Africa just after the end of apartheid] and then we realized that freedom is beautiful… Democracy is a beautiful concept, but it's a very difficult journey. It's not an overnight thing.” With a doctorate in neural networks among his many academic achievements, the UNU rector is familiar with the architecture behind the current rapid developments in AI. In this episode, he reflects on the intersection of political freedom, education and technology, and shares why digital literacy is among the most important skills of our age. [00:00] Introduction [00:33] Growing up in apartheid-era Venda [04:15] Lessons from his grandmother [13:11] From rural life to the National Science Olympiad [18:44] New cultural exposure and freedoms [23:07] South Africa’s democratic transition [24:47] Cambridge and discovering AI [29:43] Future of accessible education through AI [33:17] AI for development and public good [35:50] What keeps Tshilidzi awake at night [39:47] Technology versus human behavior [41:30] Leading the United Nations University [42:46] Life in Tokyo, family, and music [45:03] Closing remarks Listen to more Awake at Night episodes [link to AAN YouTube playlist] #podcast #UnitedNations #AwakeAtNight #UNU #AI #ArtificialIntelligence About Awake at Night Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.


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Ukraine: Civilians paying the price - OCHA Briefing | United Nations

Briefing by Indrika Ratwatte, Acting Assistant-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator (OCHA), on the situation in Ukraine.


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Ukraine: Urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts - DPPA Briefing | United Nations

Briefing by Kayoko Gotoh, Director for Europe and Central Asia, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, on the situation in Ukraine.


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Trump gets INSTANT KARMA by BBC as LAWSUIT BACKFIRES!!!!

Episode Title: Trump gets INSTANT KARMA by BBC as LAWSUIT BACKFIRES!!!!
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Ukraine: Urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts - DPPA Briefing | United Nations

Produced by United Nations

Briefing by Kayoko Gotoh, Director for Europe and Central Asia, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, on the situation in Ukraine.


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France races to contain fires before new heatwave • FRANCE 24 English

President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said one forest fire in southwest France had been "contained" even as another, much bigger one near Bordeaux continued to rage, and western Europe braced for new heatwaves this week. #france #gironde #wildfires 🔔 Subscribe to France 24 now: https://f24.my/YTen 🔴 LIVE - Watch FRANCE 24 English 24/7 here: https://f24.my/YTliveEN 🌍 Read the latest International News and Top Stories: https://www.france24.com/en/ Like us on Facebook: https://f24.my/FBen Follow us on X: https://f24.my/Xen Bluesky: https://f24.my/BSen and Threads: https://f24.my/THen Browse the news in pictures on Instagram: https://f24.my/IGen Discover our TikTok videos: https://f24.my/TKen Get the latest top stories on Telegram: https://f24.my/TGen


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🚨MAJOR Red Flags SURFACE in MADURO Trial over SECRET DEAL!!

Episode Title: 🚨MAJOR Red Flags SURFACE in MADURO Trial over SECRET DEAL!!
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LIVE: MeidasTouch RESPONDS to MAJOR BREAKING NEWS - 7/27/26

Episode Title: LIVE: MeidasTouch RESPONDS to MAJOR BREAKING NEWS - 7/27/26
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🚨Zelenskyy ATTACKS IRAN...SENDS MESSAGE to TRUMP!!!

Episode Title: 🚨Zelenskyy ATTACKS IRAN...SENDS MESSAGE to TRUMP!!!
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Syria: A moment of responsibility, possibility and choice - UN Chief | United Nations

Concluding his visit to Syria, the UN chief said political change must now deliver tangible improvements for all Syrians, backed by sustained international support. “After so much suffering, this period of transition is a rare moment in the life of a nation,” Guterres told journalists on Sunday as he concluded the second day of his visit. “A moment of responsibility, possibility and choice.” Describing Syria as a country at a historic turning point, the Secretary-General said people across the nation were drawing on their own experiences and aspirations to shape a new future after years of conflict. Over the course of his visit, he said he witnessed both the deep wounds left by war and the determination of Syrians to move forward. “During these past days, I have seen the scars left by years of conflict. I have heard about pain, loss, displacement and fear.” But alongside those experiences, he said, he had also encountered resilience and optimism. “I have felt a profound sense of hope.” Throughout his remarks, the Secretary-General repeatedly emphasized Syria's rich diversity, describing it as one of the country's defining characteristics and a foundation for lasting peace. “This country has long known what it means to be a crossroads – of civilizations, cultures, faiths and ideas,” he said. “That diversity is not incidental to Syria. It is one of this country's greatest strengths.” Guterres stressed that the success of the transition would depend on ensuring all Syrians feel represented in the country's future and can participate meaningfully in shaping it. He said the aspirations he heard during the visit were universal: security and stability, economic opportunity, accountable institutions and respect for rights. The United Nations, he added, stands ready to support efforts to promote accountability, reconciliation, human rights and confidence-building among communities while ensuring the participation of women, young people and all components of Syrian society. The Secretary-General also used the visit to deliver a strong appeal to international partners, arguing that political change would need to be matched by significant economic support if Syrians are to see tangible improvements in their daily lives. “The task now is to translate political change into tangible improvements in people's daily lives,” he said and added: “Every Syrian must feel equally invested in the future of the country.” While welcoming recent steps that have eased sanctions and opened new possibilities for economic recovery, Guterres called for all remaining sanctions to be lifted immediately. He argued that rebuilding Syria would require sustained international engagement, investment and practical assistance. “The Syrian people have shown extraordinary resilience through years of hardship,” he said. “They should not have to carry the burden of recovery alone.” The Secretary-General said support was needed to restore services, rebuild infrastructure, revive livelihoods and strengthen education and healthcare systems. International assistance would also be essential to help refugees and displaced people return home safely, voluntarily and with dignity, he added. Looking ahead, Guterres said the road forward would not be easy and warned that setbacks were inevitable. Yet he insisted that a rare opportunity exists to build a more inclusive and peaceful future. “There is also a real and extraordinary opportunity,” he said, “to help build a Syria where women and men participate fully in shaping their country's future ... where young people can fulfil their aspirations ... and where every person can live in dignity, equality, security, and peace.” “The United Nations will be a steadfast partner of the Syrian people in that journey,” he concluded.


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Syria: Opportunity to build a more stable, prosperous future - UN Chief | United Nations

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed Syria’s ‘moment of possibility’ on first visit since fall of Assad regime. Syria has an opportunity not only to recover from conflict but to build “a future that is more stable, more inclusive and more prosperous for all Syrians”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in Damascus on Saturday as he began a landmark visit to the country. Calling Syria “today the pillar of stability of the Middle East”, the UN chief said the country “stands at a moment of possibility” and urged the international community to seize the opportunity to help rebuild a nation emerging from more than a decade of conflict. Addressing reporters alongside Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani, Guterres described his visit as “an extremely meaningful” one, rooted in decades of engagement with Syrians as former UN High Commissioner for Refugees and later as Secretary-General. “For years, long before becoming Secretary-General, I worked closely with Syrians,” he said, recalling communities that welcomed refugees fleeing conflict and persecution, as well as Syrian families later forced to flee their own country. “I met young Syrians whose hopes were simple and universal: to learn, to work, to contribute, and to live in peace.” Those experiences, he said, remained with him and helped explain why it was important for him to be in Damascus now. “I made a conscious decision not to come to Syria since the beginning of the brutal repression of the Syrian people in 2011 until the fall of the regime.” The Secretary-General said Syrians had endured years of “hardship, loss and uncertainty” but had never lost the resilience, talent and creativity that define the country. “Today, Syria stands at a moment of possibility." “The opportunity now is not only to recover from conflict, but to lay the foundations for a future that is more stable, more inclusive and more prosperous for all Syrians.” He stressed that rebuilding the country would require leadership and trust, while ensuring that all Syrians see themselves reflected in the nation’s future. “Above all, it will require that every Syrian sees a place for themselves in the future of their country. “And it is for Syrians to define their path forward and shape the institutions that will serve future generations.” The UN chief warned that no country emerging from more than a decade of conflict could rebuild alone and appealed for stronger international engagement. “This is a moment that requires the international community to support Syria with determination and foresight,” he said. “Syria's recovery is a humanitarian imperative – and it is also an investment in development, in peace and regional stability.” He said the international community should help create conditions for economic recovery, restore essential services and infrastructure, expand livelihoods and employment opportunities, and support the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees and displaced people. “International financial institutions and development partners also have an important role to play in helping Syria reconnect with regional and global economic opportunities.” “This is the moment for partnership and solidarity.” Emphasizing the UN’s role, he said the Organization stood ready to accompany Syria through its transition. “We are ready to support your political transition, including your efforts to ensure transitional justice, draft a permanent constitution, and hold free and fair elections.” “We have no UN agenda for Syria. Our agenda is the agenda of the Syrian government and the Syrian people.” Guterres also reiterated the UN’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. “We underscore the importance of fully respecting Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.” “Violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are unacceptable and must cease.” Referring to developments around the Golan Heights, he added: “What is happening in the region around the Golan Heights is totally unacceptable.” “I’d like to remind the international community that the Golan Heights are Syrian territory.” The Secretary-General said the UN would continue working with Syrians and international partners in support of “a future defined by peace, dignity and opportunity by the Syrians themselves.” Taking questions from journalists, the UN chief reiterated his call for an end to violations of Syrian territorial integrity and said the international community needed to take a more active role. “We consider that the present situation is intolerable and that that situation needs to stop,” he said, while noting that UN personnel on the ground were working to mitigate the impact of ongoing developments. While acknowledging divisions within the UN Security Council, he pledged continued advocacy on the issue, insisting that “what is Syrian is Syrian and cannot be taken away.”


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