WTO must reform for AI and tech advancements or risk being left behind, Okonjo-Iweala warns
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has issued an urgent warning that the global trading system must reform to accommodate artificial intelligence and rapid technological changes or risk being “left behind.”
Speaking about the future of international trade at the Next 3 Billion event by Semafor on the sidelines of UNGA 80, Okonjo-Iweala emphasised that technological disruption presents a more significant long-term challenge than current political tensions.
“We also need to look at what’s happening in the world of trade. We have AI. We have changes in technology that are very fast paced,” she stated. “If the system doesn’t reform to take account of this, then we will be left behind. That’s what bothers me more than any other thing.”
The WTO chief stressed that reform cannot be delayed, declaring “there’s a sense of urgency and the time to do the reforms is now.”
Her comments come as the WTO faces pressure to modernise rules that were largely designed for a pre-digital economy. The organisation has been grappling with how to regulate digital trade, data flows, and emerging technologies that weren’t anticipated when many current trade rules were established.
Okonjo-Iweala’s focus on AI and technology reform represents a shift toward addressing future challenges rather than merely responding to current trade disruptions. While acknowledging that the trading system has been “knocked” by recent unilateral actions, she indicated that technological adaptation presents a more fundamental challenge.
The Director-General noted that criticism from both the United States and developing countries about the current system “have merit,” suggesting that comprehensive reforms could address multiple concerns simultaneously.
Her emphasis on technological adaptation comes as countries worldwide are implementing varying approaches to AI governance and digital trade regulation, creating potential for new trade barriers if international coordination fails.
The WTO has been working on digital trade initiatives, but Okonjo-Iweala’s comments suggest these efforts need acceleration to keep pace with technological developments that are reshaping global commerce.
Her warning about being “left behind” reflects concerns that the multilateral trading system could become irrelevant if it cannot adapt to govern commerce in an AI-driven global economy.
