GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – The World Trade Organization is set to host its inaugural World Trade and Tech Day on September 14 at its headquarters in Geneva. This event aims to unite trade officials, technology policymakers, business leaders, and other relevant participants to discuss the future of artificial intelligence in international trade. The central theme, “AI and Trade: Turning Potential into Progress,” will serve as a guide for discussions centered on fostering policies that broaden access to AI tools while promoting more inclusive global commerce.
Opening the event with welcoming remarks, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will set the tone for the day. A ministerial dialogue will explore why artificial intelligence has risen as a key issue in trade policy debates. The agenda also features a keynote speech and a panel discussion with representatives from the private sector. Topics will include digital services, intellectual property rights, technical standards, and the participation of developing economies within AI-related value chains. These sessions aim to connect technology policy with the practical needs of cross-border trade operations.
A significant resource for the meeting will be the World Trade Report 2025, which highlights the potential of artificial intelligence to boost global trade by as much as 37% by 2040. The report also projects a possible increase in global gross domestic product of up to 13%. Achieving these benefits depends heavily on infrastructure quality, workforce skills, technology adoption rates, and supportive policies. Additionally, the report warns that unequal access to AI could restrict participation from lower-income economies, emphasizing the importance of inclusive strategies.
Trade policy takes center stage
Multiple sessions will delve into how AI can reduce the costs associated with international trade. Participants will review various tools that facilitate document processing, compliance management, and supply chain analysis. The agenda will also examine digital services delivery and how intellectual property rights are treated across borders. An additional focus will be on how technical standards can promote interoperability among markets. These discussions reflect AI’s increasing role in customs procedures, logistics, finance, and other trade-related sectors.
The event will also tackle obstacles hindering wider AI adoption. Many enterprises still face challenges such as unreliable internet connectivity, limited computing capacity, shortages of skilled workers, and high costs of financing. Smaller companies, in particular, encounter legal and technical hurdles when attempting to access digital markets. During a June discussion on AI and trade, the WTO’s small-business group explored these issues in detail, highlighting how new technological tools can enhance market research, lower operational costs, and improve access to trade-related information.
Showcasing practical AI innovations
An exhibition showcasing artificial intelligence applications for international commerce will be part of World Trade and Tech Day. A dedicated pitching session will feature tools designed for use by companies, public agencies, and trade organizations. These demonstrations aim to bridge policy discussions with real-world applications, illustrating how AI supports supply-chain analysis, regulatory tasks, and access to market data. The event will give attendees a firsthand look at operational systems already serving key trade functions.
Scheduled for September 14, the event will take place at the World Trade Organization’s headquarters in Geneva. Its program will blend ministerial discussions, input from businesses, policy insights, and technology showcases. Focus areas include artificial intelligence, trade costs, digital services, and broader economic participation. The agenda will also address the infrastructure and skills necessary for widespread AI adoption. Details on registration and virtual participation can be found on the official event page.