WTO Report Highlights AI's Transformative Impact on Global Trade

Trading with intelligence: How AI shapes and is shaped by international trade

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we live, work, produce and trade. As it further develops, AI is expected to unlock unprecedented economic and societal opportunities. However, it is also a source of significant risks and challenges. This report examines the intersection of AI and international trade. It discusses how AI may shape the future of international trade by reducing trade costs, improving productivity and expanding economies' comparative advantages.

New report examines how artificial intelligence may shape future of international trade

The report, entitled "Trading with Intelligence: How AI Shapes and is Shaped by International Trade", discusses how AI can reduce trade costs, reshape trade in services, increase trade in AI-related goods and services, and redefine economies' comparative advantages. The report also highlights the increasing fragmentation of approaches to AI regulation, which may have a particular impact on trade opportunities for micro, small and medium-sized businesses. The report provides an overview of government initiatives taken at the domestic, regional and international levels both to promote and to regulate AI. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala says in the report's foreword: "This report aims to stimulate a discussion on how the WTO can promote the development and deployment of AI and help mitigate its associated risks and looming concerns about regulatory fragmentation. In this respect, two guiding questions the report tries to address are: how can the WTO help ensure that the benefits of AI are broadly shared? How can the challenges that AI presents be addressed in a globally coordinated manner?" The report argues that AI could help to overcome trade costs associated with trade logistics, supply chain management and regulatory compliance. For instance, AI can assist in automating and streamlining customs clearance processes and border controls, navigating complex trade regulations and compliance requirements, and predicting risks. By lowering trade costs, AI can help level the playing field for developing economies and small businesses, helping them to overcome trade barriers, enter global markets and participate in international trade, the report says. The report estimates that, under an optimistic scenario of universal AI adoption and high productivity growth up until 2040, global real trade growth could increase by almost 14 percentage points. In contrast, a cautious scenario, with uneven AI adoption and low productivity growth, projects trade growth of just under 7 percentage points. While high-income economies are expected to see the largest productivity gains, lower-income economies have better potential to reduce trade costs. The report notes that AI can transform patterns of trade in services, particularly digitally delivered services, which are projected to see cumulative growth of nearly 18 percentage points in an optimistic scenario of universal AI adoption and high productivity growth. However, the report warns that the risk of a growing AI divide between economies and between large and small firms is significant, as are data governance challenges and the need to ensure that AI is trustworthy. There is also a need to clarify how AI relates to intellectual property (IP) rights. The report emphasizes that a lack of coordination could cause increasing regulatory fragmentation with regard to AI. It also notes that addressing the risk of a growing AI divide is essential to leverage the opportunities offered by this technology. The report addresses the role the WTO can play in this area as a forum for negotiation, discussion and rule-making, helping to promote the benefits of AI and limiting its risks. The report underlines that the WTO provides a multilateral framework that can help to promote policy coherence and address the trade-related aspects of AI governance.

Un nouveau rapport examine comment l'intelligence artificielle peut façonner l'avenir du commerce international

The report, entitled "Trading with Intelligence: How AI Shapes and is Shaped by International Trade", discusses how AI can reduce trade costs, reshape trade in services, increase trade in AI-related goods and services, and redefine economies' comparative advantages. The report also highlights the increasing fragmentation of approaches to AI regulation, which may have a particular impact on trade opportunities for micro, small and medium-sized businesses. The report provides an overview of government initiatives taken at the domestic, regional and international levels both to promote and to regulate AI. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala says in the report's foreword: "This report aims to stimulate a discussion on how the WTO can promote the development and deployment of AI and help mitigate its associated risks and looming concerns about regulatory fragmentation. In this respect, two guiding questions the report tries to address are: how can the WTO help ensure that the benefits of AI are broadly shared? How can the challenges that AI presents be addressed in a globally coordinated manner?" The report argues that AI could help to overcome trade costs associated with trade logistics, supply chain management and regulatory compliance. For instance, AI can assist in automating and streamlining customs clearance processes and border controls, navigating complex trade regulations and compliance requirements, and predicting risks. By lowering trade costs, AI can help level the playing field for developing economies and small businesses, helping them to overcome trade barriers, enter global markets and participate in international trade, the report says. The report estimates that, under an optimistic scenario of universal AI adoption and high productivity growth up until 2040, global real trade growth could increase by almost 14 percentage points. In contrast, a cautious scenario, with uneven AI adoption and low productivity growth, projects trade growth of just under 7 percentage points. While high-income economies are expected to see the largest productivity gains, lower-income economies have better potential to reduce trade costs. The report notes that AI can transform patterns of trade in services, particularly digitally delivered services, which are projected to see cumulative growth of nearly 18 percentage points in an optimistic scenario of universal AI adoption and high productivity growth. However, the report warns that the risk of a growing AI divide between economies and between large and small firms is significant, as are data governance challenges and the need to ensure that AI is trustworthy without hindering trade. There is also a need to clarify how AI relates to intellectual property (IP) rights. The report emphasizes that a lack of coordination could cause increasing regulatory fragmentation with regard to AI. It also notes that addressing the risk of a growing AI divide is essential to leverage the opportunities offered by this technology. The report addresses the role the WTO can play in this area as a forum for negotiation, discussion and rule-making, helping to promote the benefits of AI and limiting its risks. The report underlines that the WTO provides a multilateral framework that can help to promote policy coherence and address the trade-related aspects of AI governance.

Nuevo informe examina cómo la inteligencia artificial puede configurar el futuro del comercio internacional

The report, entitled "Trading with Intelligence: How AI Shapes and is Shaped by International Trade", discusses how AI can reduce trade costs, reshape trade in services, increase trade in AI-related goods and services, and redefine economies' comparative advantages. The report also highlights the increasing fragmentation of approaches to AI regulation, which may have a particular impact on trade opportunities for micro, small and medium-sized businesses. The report provides an overview of government initiatives taken at the domestic, regional and international levels both to promote and to regulate AI. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala says in the report's foreword: "This report aims to stimulate a discussion on how the WTO can promote the development and deployment of AI and help mitigate its associated risks and looming concerns about regulatory fragmentation. In this respect, two guiding questions the report tries to address are: how can the WTO help ensure that the benefits of AI are broadly shared? How can the challenges that AI presents be addressed in a globally coordinated manner?" The report argues that AI could help to overcome trade costs associated with trade logistics, supply chain management and regulatory compliance. For instance, AI can assist in automating and streamlining customs clearance processes and border controls, navigating complex trade regulations and compliance requirements, and predicting risks. By lowering trade costs, AI can help level the playing field for developing economies and small businesses, helping them to overcome trade barriers, enter global markets and participate in international trade, the report says. The report estimates that, under an optimistic scenario of universal AI adoption and high productivity growth up until 2040, global real trade growth could increase by almost 14 percentage points. In contrast, a cautious scenario, with uneven AI adoption and low productivity growth, projects trade growth of just under 7 percentage points. While high-income economies are expected to see the largest productivity gains, lower-income economies have better potential to reduce trade costs. The report notes that AI can transform patterns of trade in services, particularly digitally delivered services, which are projected to see cumulative growth of nearly 18 percentage points in an optimistic scenario of universal AI adoption and high productivity growth. However, the report warns that the risk of a growing AI divide between economies and between large and small firms is significant, as are data governance challenges and the need to ensure that AI is trustworthy without hindering trade. There is also a need to clarify how AI relates to intellectual property (IP) rights. The report emphasizes that a lack of coordination could cause increasing regulatory fragmentation with regard to AI. It also notes that addressing the risk of a growing AI divide is essential to leverage the opportunities offered by this technology. The report addresses the role the WTO can play in this area as a forum for negotiation, discussion and rule-making, helping to promote the benefits of AI and limiting its risks. The report underlines that the WTO provides a multilateral framework that can help to promote policy coherence and address the trade-related aspects of AI governance.

WTO Secretariat hosts first conference on interplay between AI and global trade

The conference saw the launch of a new report by the WTO Secretariat, "Trading with Intelligence: How AI Shapes and is Shaped by International Trade". The report explores the potential impact of AI on international trade, highlighting for example how it can lower trade costs by improving logistics management, simplifying regulatory compliance, and enhancing communication between businesses and customers. In her opening remarks, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the profound societal and economic changes ushered in by AI, noting its expanding role in daily life -- from autonomous vehicles and precision farming to advancements in healthcare, education and scientific research. DG Okonjo-Iweala said: "AI could lower the barriers to market entry, providing more small businesses with the opportunity to participate in international trade." The DG added: "The report includes case studies where AI has been applied to detect disruptions in supply chains, trace the carbon footprint of products, and streamline customs procedures, underscoring the technology's potential to enhance trade efficiency and sustainability." In her keynote speech, Baroness Maggie Jones of Whitchurch, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the UK's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, outlined how the UK government is positioning technology, particularly AI, at the core of its economic growth strategy. She emphasized AI's potential to reduce barriers to trade and foster inclusive economic growth. "There is no doubt that AI will change our societies and our economies," said Baroness Jones. "Our choice is not whether that change happens. It is whether we sit back and allow it to shape us. It is whether we actively shape the future of this technology and the world it will enable. We want that world to be one where every country has access to the opportunities that AI presents - and every citizen is protected from the potential risks. By working together, we can make that ambition a reality. " The conference featured a series of in-depth sessions, each addressing different aspects of AI and its impact on international trade. The first session brought together the private sector and policy makers to explore the impact of AI on international trade. The second session examined the impact of AI on trade in services, and how services trade policy and rules affect the development of AI. The third session looked at how AI can and is improving the work of customs officers and how AI can contribute to a more efficient, resilient and sustainable food and agriculture system. Discussion in the fourth session centred on the challenges AI poses to the existing intellectual property framework which underpins trade in digital products, emphasizing the relevance of balanced IP regulation to incentivize the development, training and use of AI. The fifth session addressed the role of standards and technical regulations for ensuring trustworthy AI. The last session explored the role of international cooperation and international organizations in global AI governance. The event also featured a fireside chat with Dani Verdari, a content creator and YouTuber who uses AI to generate creative content for social media platforms. Additionally, a "pitching session" included presentations from Google and Maersk showcasing innovative ways in which AI is being utilized to optimize business operations.

Le Secrétariat de l'OMC organise la première conférence sur l'interaction entre l'IA et le commerce mondial

The conference saw the launch of a new report by the WTO Secretariat, "Trading with Intelligence: How AI Shapes and is Shaped by International Trade". The report explores the potential impact of AI on international trade, highlighting for example how it can lower trade costs by improving logistics management, simplifying regulatory compliance, and enhancing communication between businesses and customers. In her opening remarks, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the profound societal and economic changes ushered in by AI, noting its expanding role in daily life -- from autonomous vehicles and precision farming to advancements in healthcare, education and scientific research. DG Okonjo-Iweala said: "AI could lower the barriers to market entry, providing more small businesses with the opportunity to participate in international trade." The DG added: "The report includes case studies where AI has been applied to detect disruptions in supply chains, trace the carbon footprint of products, and streamline customs procedures, underscoring the technology's potential to enhance trade efficiency and sustainability." In her keynote speech, Baroness Maggie Jones of Whitchurch, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the UK's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, outlined how the UK government is positioning technology, particularly AI, at the core of its economic growth strategy. She emphasized AI's potential to reduce barriers to trade and foster inclusive economic growth. "There is no doubt that AI will change our societies and our economies," said Baroness Jones. "Our choice is not whether that change happens. It is whether we sit back and allow it to shape us. It is whether we actively shape the future of this technology and the world it will enable. We want that world to be one where every country has access to the opportunities that AI presents - and every citizen is protected from the potential risks. By working together, we can make that ambition a reality. " The conference featured a series of in-depth sessions, each addressing different aspects of AI and its impact on international trade. The first session brought together the private sector and policy makers to explore the impact of AI on international trade. The second session examined the impact of AI on trade in services, and how services trade policy and rules affect the development of AI. The third session looked at how AI can and is improving the work of customs officers and how AI can contribute to a more efficient, resilient and sustainable food and agriculture system. Discussion in the fourth session centred on the challenges AI poses to the existing intellectual property framework which underpins trade in digital products, emphasizing the relevance of balanced IP regulation to incentivize the development, training and use of AI. The fifth session addressed the role of standards and technical regulations for ensuring trustworthy AI. The last session explored the role of international cooperation and international organizations in global AI governance. The event also featured a fireside chat with Dani Verdari, a content creator and YouTuber who uses AI to generate creative content for social media platforms. Additionally, a "pitching session" included presentations from Google and Maersk showcasing innovative ways in which AI is being utilized to optimize business operations.

La Secretaría de la OMC organiza la primera conferencia sobre la interacción entre la IA y el comercio mundial

The conference saw the launch of a new report by the WTO Secretariat, "Trading with Intelligence: How AI Shapes and is Shaped by International Trade". The report explores the potential impact of AI on international trade, highlighting for example how it can lower trade costs by improving logistics management, simplifying regulatory compliance, and enhancing communication between businesses and customers. In her opening remarks, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the profound societal and economic changes ushered in by AI, noting its expanding role in daily life -- from autonomous vehicles and precision farming to advancements in healthcare, education and scientific research. DG Okonjo-Iweala said: "AI could lower the barriers to market entry, providing more small businesses with the opportunity to participate in international trade." The DG added: "The report includes case studies where AI has been applied to detect disruptions in supply chains, trace the carbon footprint of products, and streamline customs procedures, underscoring the technology's potential to enhance trade efficiency and sustainability." In her keynote speech, Baroness Maggie Jones of Whitchurch, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the UK's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, outlined how the UK government is positioning technology, particularly AI, at the core of its economic growth strategy. She emphasized AI's potential to reduce barriers to trade and foster inclusive economic growth. "There is no doubt that AI will change our societies and our economies," said Baroness Jones. "Our choice is not whether that change happens. It is whether we sit back and allow it to shape us. It is whether we actively shape the future of this technology and the world it will enable. We want that world to be one where every country has access to the opportunities that AI presents - and every citizen is protected from the potential risks. By working together, we can make that ambition a reality. " The conference featured a series of in-depth sessions, each addressing different aspects of AI and its impact on international trade. The first session brought together the private sector and policy makers to explore the impact of AI on international trade. The second session examined the impact of AI on trade in services, and how services trade policy and rules affect the development of AI. The third session looked at how AI can and is improving the work of customs officers and how AI can contribute to a more efficient, resilient and sustainable food and agriculture system. Discussion in the fourth session centred on the challenges AI poses to the existing intellectual property framework which underpins trade in digital products, emphasizing the relevance of balanced IP regulation to incentivize the development, training and use of AI. The fifth session addressed the role of standards and technical regulations for ensuring trustworthy AI. The last session explored the role of international cooperation and international organizations in global AI governance. The event also featured a fireside chat with Dani Verdari, a content creator and YouTuber who uses AI to generate creative content for social media platforms. Additionally, a "pitching session" included presentations from Google and Maersk showcasing innovative ways in which AI is being utilized to optimize business operations.