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Paving the Way for Responsible AI: UNESCO and the G7 Toolkit Initiative

UNESCO commends the G7 Italian Presidency for its visionary leadership in developing the G7 Toolkit for AI in the Public Sector—a pivotal milestone empowering governments to harness AI ethically.
People standing in line and posing at the Ministerial Meeting on Technology and Digital

The risk of running into problems when using AI in government may prevent countries from benefiting from this pivotal technology. Solid governance frameworks have an important role to play as shown by UNESCO’s ethics work. Thus, under the Italian Presidency of the G7, UNESCO and the OECD have developed the G7 Toolkit for Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector, as major contribution to this objective.

Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director General, Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO

The G7 toolkit establishes a foundational framework to address concerns such as privacy, transparency, and inclusivity, fostering citizen trust in technology and institutions.

To guide the development of AI responsibly, robust frameworks are essential for mitigating risks and preventing biased algorithms that can inflict real-world harm. Policy-makers must work closely with the private sector to ensure AI systems uphold ethical principles, safeguarding human rights and fundamental freedoms in alignment with the Hiroshima AI process.

To promote transparency, 91Âé¶¹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ partnered with the Thomson Reuters Foundation to launch an innovative voluntary disclosure mechanism. This initiative encourages companies to share their compliance with UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, providing essential data for investors and stakeholders and reinforcing ethical practices in AI deployment. 

Moreover, UNESCO’s cooperation with certification bodies and standardization organizations aligns disclosure practices with certification standards. A notable example is the Organization’s partnership with France’s Ministry of Ecological Transition and the ISO, which is developing a roadmap to mitigate AI’s environmental impact. This initiative will be unveiled at the 10 and 11 of 2025 AI Action Summit in France.

By drawing from its extensive work with G7 members and the OECD, and its Ethical Impact and Readiness Assessments conducted in 60 countries, UNESCO continues to lead The global advancement of ethical AI frameworks. The G7 toolkit empowers governments to assess risks in AI deployment within the public sector, ensuring responsible governance.

UNESCO remains dedicated to working with its 194 Member States, including G7 nations, to leverage AI for inclusive and sustainable societal and economic growth.

G7 toolkit for artificial intelligence in the public sector; report prepared for the 2024 Italian G7 presidency and the G7 digital and tech working group
UNESCO
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
2024
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