Background

UNESCO’s Bioethics and Ethics of Science and Technology Section, in collaboration with Achim Rosemann, from the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, University of Cambridge, is currently developing an open access, global online repository with civil societal organizations (CSOs) that address issues related to artificial intelligence (AI), (big) data and digital technologies (hereinafter referred to as “the Repository”).

What are the aims of the repository? 

• to provide new opportunities for collaboration between UNESCO and CSOs in different world regions, and to include CSOs in UNESCO’s emerging work on the ethics and global governance of AI, digital data and related, technologies and applications

• to create a knowledge hub and strengthen the role of civil society and CSOs in the global debate and governance of AI, (big) data, and data-intensive digital technologies at a more general level; and  

• to enable new forms of cooperation and knowledge exchange between CSOs from around the world, as well as CSOs and other AI stakeholders. 

Where will the repository be based?  

The repository will be based on UNESCO’s forthcoming Global Observatory of AI Ethics (UNESCO 2022), a virtual knowledge sharing hub that is part of UNESCO’s emerging work on the ethics and global governance of AI, as laid out in the 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, a standard-setting instrument adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO (UNESCO 2021). 

Who will be able to access the information on the repository?

The information on the repository would be available open access. This means, it will be free to everyone around the world with access to the internet. 

Which types of CSOs shall the repository include? 

The repository will include CSOs whose work addresses issues related to AI and in particular AI Ethics, data and global data justice, and the governance of digital technology, including social media and the internet. CSOs from all regions of the world will be included, to reach equal representation, depending on availability and public web presence. The repository shall be regionally balanced (as much as possible) and include organizations operating in multiple languages.

Who are targeted users of the repository?

• international organizations, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Health Organization (WHO) or specific UN bodies, who want to strengthen interactions with CSOs in different parts of the world;      

• CSOs who want to get in touch with other CSOs, to share experiences or initiate new projects;

• scientific researchers, scientific research institutions, as well as technology firms or other companies that want to include CSOs into processes of multi-stakeholder deliberation;

• government bodies or government-related organizations who want to include CSOs into public engagement, policy evaluation or policy making; 

• social science and humanities researchers who aim to cooperate with CSOs in the context of academic research projects; and   

• citizens and/or technology users in different regions of the world, who want to raise or share concerns with CSOs in their geographic area. 

What are potential possibilities and benefits for CSOs that decide to be part of the repository? 

• increased international visibility of your organization via UNESCO’s forthcoming Global Observatory of AI Ethics;

• the option to contribute to UNESCO’s emerging work on the ethics and governance of AI in different world regions, if you are interested; and

• new opportunities to cooperate with and learn from other CSOs around the world and to become part of a global network of CSOs whose work addresses issues related to AI, (big) data and digital technologies, that shall be supported by UNESCO

Which inclusion criteria does the repository use?

CSOs that shall be included in the repository, need to comply with the following criteria:

• they should be non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or other grassroots organizations, including community-based, faith-based, people’s organizations, etc.; 

• they can be national and international organizations;

• they should operate independently from the state and the market;

• they should address issues related to AI and other data-intensive digital technologies, and related technologies (including the internet, social media, etc) and applications this can be in relation to a wide range of issues. For example, environmental issues, data and data justice, economy and labour, gender and women’s rights, education, children’s rights, health and well-being, human rights, democracy and democratic processes, media and free speech, sustainable cities and infrastructures, social and racial justice, inclusiveness and anti-discrimination, data rights and data protection, sustainable innovation, and others.

CSOs will not be included in the repository if they:

• Promote extremist views across the political spectrum, including violent extremism, xenophobic, racist, misogynist, non-democratic, or other divisive views.

Which information about individual CSOs will the repository contain?

For each organization, the following information shall be included:   

• a brief general description of the organization (3-4 sentences). (Description can be the same as on your organization’s website); 

• a brief description (3-4 sentences) of projects and/or activities related to the organization’s work on AI, (big) data, digital technologies, etc., including corresponding weblinks (optional);

• the organization’s website; 

• an organizational email address or the email address of a designated contact person in your organization, to which UNESCO and/or other organisations and people that use the repository can reach out.

Who funds the development of the repository?

The development of the repository is funded by the United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) project “Strengthening the Role of Civil Society in the Global AI Governance Landscape”, (UKRI Participatory Grant, provided in 2022 through De Montfort University; PI Achim Rosemann) together with funds provided by UNESCO. 

If you want your organization to be part of the repository?

If you want your organization to be added to the repository, please contact the UNESCO AI Ethics Office: aiethics@unesco.org. Please feel free to share this information with other CSOs that you think should be included to the repository.   

Right to withdraw from the repository at any time  

Each CSO has the right to withdraw information from the repository at any time. Information on the organization will then be deleted. Contact email address: ai-ethics@unesco.org. UNESCO has the right to withdraw any CSO from the repository at any time, should the organization not meet the inclusion criteria anymore. Information on the organization will then be deleted. 

Disclaimer

The ideas and opinions expressed on the websites of the selected civil societal organizations or any other platform or forum do not necessarily represent the views of UNESCO and the Organization hereby declines all liability. The inclusion of these organizations in the repository does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Organization, concerning the activities of such organizations. UNESCO bears no responsibility for the accuracy or content of the organizations’ websites or for that of subsequent links. This repository is for convenience and information purposes only.

References

UNESCO (2021). Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. Document Code: SHS/BIO/PI/2021/1. URL : https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000381137

UNESCO (2022). Implementation of the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Document Code: 215 EX/40 REV. + Corr. URL: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000382931