- What kind of institutional arrangements do we need to effectively govern AI?
- How can we even consider governing a technology that is proliferating so rapidly and establishing itself in all industrial and economic areas?
- How can we ensure regulations are adaptive enough to keep pace with technology, without stifling innovation?
These complex and multifaceted questions about AI governance today dominate the airwaves and occupy the minds of policymakers, regulators and the public around the world. And UNESCO is about to take a major step towards finding effective solutions. It partners with the European Commission (DG-Reform) and the Dutch Digital Infrastructure Authority to generate knowledge and build skills on optimal institutional design to oversee AI, in accordance with EU law. EU on AI and other relevant international legislation and standards. , such as the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
This cooperation responds to one of the greatest socio-technological challenges facing humanity today. AI technologies and their applications in different fields have already demonstrated their unique potential for good, and at the same time raised a long list of risks to human rights and fundamental freedoms. AI is forcing governments around the world to think about the optimal frameworks, institutions and capabilities they will need to effectively address these challenges, as well as how to build or acquire them.
To help the Dutch authorities in this complex task, UNESCO will produce a comprehensive report on the state of play and existing practices in AI oversight in Europe and beyond. UNESCO will also develop a series of case studies on AI supervision, produce a set of best practices for addressing specific cases and issues related to AI supervision, and organize relevant trainings.
