This year's Global Symposium for Regulators, GSR-24, which started this week in Kampala, Uganda, is looking for the first time at regulating for impact in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), the space sector, and climate change.

The annual symposium hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) brought together regulators.

Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, director of the ITU's telecommunications development division, wrote on the tech agency's blog: "Global regulators and policy-makers will meet over the coming week to exchange knowledge and experiences on advancing regulation for impact."

He explained the impact of regulations as follows: "Regulating for impact means defining policy and regulatory measures that chart the course of transformative technologies for positive impact and the good of humanity.

“Digital regulators are entrusted with creating an enabling regulatory environment where technologies can advance in tandem with socio-economic development. But regulation is only effective when we develop it with impact in mind.”

He added: “The dedicated AI session will consider how to address ethical aspects, standards development, and risk mitigation approaches for responsible AI and robotics. The session will address the following question: what strategies can be adopted to mitigate risks and create trustworthy AI systems?

“GSR-24 will also explore the space economy at a pivotal moment. The expansion of satellite networks is yielding new space-based applications that can aid critical economic, business, and societal projects.

“Session participants will consider regulatory measures and approaches for an inclusive, safe, and sustainable space economy”