UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

02 Apr 2023 News
Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

UNESCO calls on countries to fully implement its Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence immediately.

UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence is the first global framework for the ethical use of artificial intelligence. It guides countries on how to maximize the benefits of AI and reduce the risks it entails. It contains values and principles, but also detailed policy recommendations in all relevant areas.

The initiative comes following calls by over 1000 tech workers for a pause in the training of the most powerful AI systems, including Chat GPT.
UNESCO calls on all Governments to implement Global Ethical Framework without delay.
This global normative framework, adopted unanimously by the 193 Member States of the Organization, provides all the necessary safeguards.

Industry self-regulation is clearly not sufficient to avoid these ethical harms, which is why the Recommendation provides the tools to ensure that AI developments abide by the rule of law, avoiding harm, and ensuring that when harm is done, accountability and redressal mechanisms are at hand for those affected.

Artificial intelligenceUNESCO’s Recommendation places a Readiness Assessment tool at the core of its guidance to Member States. This tool enables countries to ascertain the competencies and skills required in the workforce to ensure robust regulation of the artificial intelligence sector. It also provides that the States report regularly on their progress and their practices in the field of artificial intelligence, in particular by submitting a periodic report every four years.

To this date, more than 40 countries in all regions of the world are already working with UNESCO to develop AI checks and balances at the national level, building on the Recommendation.

UNESCO calls on all countries to join the movement it is leading to build an ethical AI.

A progress report will be presented at the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Slovenia in December 2023.