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Limited digital competencies, outdated infrastructure and fragmented legal frameworks often prevent public institutions from unlocking AI’s potential to modernize services, enhance transparency, and foster citizen engagement. Responding to this urgent need, 91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ taken bold steps to bridge these gaps through innovative training initiatives that empower civil servants to lead ethical and inclusive AI adoption. 

In February, UNESCO concluded its six-week , equipping public officials with cutting-edge knowledge to integrate AI into government services while safeguarding human rights. Delivered in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the course addressed the growing global demand for public sector digital transformation. 

Led by Prateek Sibal, Programme Specialist at UNESCO, and Dr Sebastian Drosselmeier, the training offered a structured curriculum designed to translate theory into actionable insights. The course unfolded across five dynamic modules: 

• Introduction to AI in the Public Sector: Tackled challenges of digital transformation, explored AI use cases, procurement strategies and the geopolitics of AI. 

• AI Fundamentals: Focused on project management cycles, types of AI systems and ensuring data readiness. 

• Public Service Design and AI: Introduced human-centered design thinking methodologies for integrating AI into service delivery. 

• AI Governance: Examined ethical frameworks, regulatory approaches and tools for assessing AI’s societal impact. 

• Hands-On Practice: Participants collaborated to design tailored AI-powered services for their national contexts. 

The course drew on world-class expertise from multidisciplinary instructors. Dr Miriam Stankovich illuminated the geopolitical dimensions of AI, while Dr Ilaria Mariani, Researcher and Assistant Professor at the Department of Design of the Politecnico di Milano, guided participants through human-centered service design principles. Dr Helen Titilola Olojede, Lecturer and Acting Head of the Department of Philosophy at the National Open University of Nigeria, emphasized the importance of ethics in institutional decision-making, and Soizic ±Êé²Ô¾±³¦²¹³Ü»å, Lecturer at Sciences Po Paris, provided practical frameworks for assessing AI’s impact on governance. 

One participant captured the transformative essence of the training:

The training attracted participants from diverse institutional roles—managers, directors and senior advisors—working in parliaments, ministries and regulatory bodies. With 55% of participants being women and representation spanning all world regions, the course fostered rich cross-regional dialogue and peer learning. 

A significant 45% of participants hailed from Africa, underscoring UNESCO’s commitment to advancing digital capacity across the continent. This aligns with UNESCO’s Global Priority Africa policy and its support for implementing the African Union Continental AI Strategy, which calls for ethical AI adoption in public institutions. 

Equipped with new skills grounded in ethics and human rights, participants are now poised to transform their workplaces by delivering innovative public services powered by AI. Looking ahead, UNESCO plans to expand its AI for the Public Sector Programme, helping governments turn knowledge into action and drive inclusive digital transformation globally. 

This course builds on the acclaimed —formerly supported by the European Union—which was offered by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Politecnico di Milano. Thanks to funding from the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, this training was made available free of charge to selected participants.