GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – The World Trade Organization is set to host its inaugural World Trade and Tech Day on September 14 at its Geneva headquarters, gathering trade officials, technology policymakers, business leaders, and other stakeholders. The event’s theme, “AI and Trade: Turning Potential into Progress,” will steer discussions on artificial intelligence’s impact on international commerce. Focused on policies that broaden access to AI tools and foster more inclusive global trade, the agenda aims to address key issues in the sector.
Opening remarks will be delivered by Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, followed by a ministerial dialogue exploring why artificial intelligence has emerged as a significant trade policy matter. The program features a keynote speech and a panel discussion with private-sector representatives, addressing topics such as digital services, intellectual property, technical standards, and the contribution of developing economies to AI-related value chains. These sessions are designed to connect technology policy with the practical needs of international business.
A central reference for the event will be the World Trade Report 2025, which highlights that artificial intelligence has the potential to boost global trade by up to 37% by 2040. It also projects that the world gross domestic product could grow by as much as 13%, though these benefits depend on factors like infrastructure, skills, technology adoption, and policy environments. The report emphasizes that limited access to AI could restrict participation from lower-income economies.
Trade policy in focus
Several sessions will delve into how AI can reduce international trade costs. Discussions will include tools that assist companies with document processing, compliance management, and supply chain analysis. Topics such as digitally delivered services and intellectual property treatment will also be addressed, along with how technical standards can facilitate compatibility across markets. These areas illustrate the increasing application of AI in customs, logistics, finance, and other trade services.
The event will also identify obstacles hindering broader AI deployment, noting that many businesses still lack dependable connectivity, adequate computing resources, skilled personnel, and affordable financing. Smaller enterprises often face additional legal and technical hurdles when entering digital markets. The WTO’s small-business group examined these issues during a June discussion on AI and trade, highlighting how new tools can improve market research, cut costs, and enhance access to trade information.
Showcasing practical AI solutions
An exhibition dedicated to artificial intelligence applications for international commerce will be part of World Trade and Tech Day, featuring a pitching session to showcase tools developed for companies, public agencies, and trade organizations. These demonstrations will bridge policy discussions with real-world technological uses, illustrating how AI supports supply-chain analysis, regulatory processes, and market data access. Attendees will see examples of systems already functioning within trade-related sectors.
The September 14 gathering will be held at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, combining ministerial debates, business insights, policy analysis, and technology displays. It will focus on artificial intelligence, trade costs, digital services, and economic participation, while also exploring infrastructure and skills necessary for wider adoption. Details about registration and online participation are available on the official event webpage.