The growth of Artificial Intelligence has been rapid over the years. It has set out various initiatives in the government as well as private sectors. The transformative impact of AI poses new challenges to policymakers and organisations across the globe. The world is in the midst of a technological upheaval that will transform how our multilateral organisations function and exert power. From a global point of view, AI may concentrate in the hands of a few, or it might be distributed among the many. Either be the situation, the resulting distribution of power will affect the trust in national institutions, states and basic global order.
Multilateral organisations across the globe have been using Artificial Intelligence for various governing purposes including, economic, political and social systems. AI will shape how these organisations administer and govern our societies. In the United Nations, there are growing signs of an “AI arms” race with at least 4 of the 5 permanent members placing AI at the centre of their current developmental strategies. United Nations has developed an independent think tank within its system called the Center for Policy Research. This organisation research the multilateral systems to understand the current and future global policy changes. AI today holds the centre of such challenges. Organisations that come under UN and other non-UN organisations have been using AI in their area for the overall development.
AI Principles of OECD
OECD- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is an intergovernmental economic organisation. It has over 38 states as its members. The organisations promote the use of AI that is innovative trustworthy and that respects human rights and democratic values. According to OECD, AI is a general-purpose technology that has the potential to improve the welfare and well-being of people to contribute to positive sustainable economic activities. The organisation had led to the growth of empirical and policy activities on AI, starting with the Technology foresight Forum on AI in 2016 and an International Conference of AI: Intelligent Machines, Smart policies in 2017. Listed below are the Value-based principles developed by OECD in AI.
- Inclusive growth, sustainable development and wellbeing: This principle highlight the capacity of trustworthy AI to contribute to overall growth and prosperity for all individuals, society & planets
- Human-centred values and fairness: AI systems should respect the rule of law, human rights, democratic values and diversity to ensure a fair and just society.
- Transparency and explainability: People should understand why they are engaging with a particular technology.
- Robustness, security & safety: AI should function in a robust, secure and safe way. Potential risks should be assessed and managed
- Accountability: Organisations and Individuals who are deploying the AI system must be accountable for their operations
OECD has also provided a set of recommendations as well to the policymakers regarding investing in AI & RD, fostering a digital ecosystem for AI, providing enabling policy environment for AI, building human capacity and preparing for labour market transition and International co-operation for trustworthy AI. OECD members follow the principle for the AI principles adopted by the organisations in their AI ecosystems.
AI Principles of UNESCO
UNESCO is an international organisation that widely adopt AI in their global activities. From framing curriculum for AI adoption to co-chairing the AI Capacity Building, UNESCO has been empowering the ethical use of AI in the past years. According to the UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, “The world needs rules for artificial intelligence to benefit humanity. The Recommendation on the ethics of AI is a major answer. It sets the first global normative framework while giving States the responsibility to apply it at their level. UNESCO will support its 193 Member States in its implementation and ask them to report regularly on their progress and practices”.
Protecting data, banning social scoring and mass surveillance, helping monitor and evaluate and protecting the environment was the major recommendation put forth by UNESCO last year. Recently, UNESCO along with the Innovation for Policy Foundation, in a virtual workshop, came up with 10 points that were stated as the building blocks for the Multi-stakeholder AI policy process. Listed following are the 10 points
- Raise awareness and demystify AI
- Define AI and be clear on terminology
- Use an expert group to determine the AI landscape
- Provide clarity on the participatory AI policy process
- Co-create and consult AI policy
- Make sure participation is followed by influence on outcomes
- Make AI policy agile and flexible
- Protect Human Rights, embrace Data Protection and Ethics Guidelines
- Combine the AI Strategy with an Action Plan
- Monitor and evaluate throughout the policy cycle
The AI policies of UNESCO revolve around the concept of “Ethical AI”. There are several AI policies adopted by the organisation, the basis of it all relies on using AI for building a secured scientific future.
Overall AI framework
AI landscapes in multilateral organisations are widening over the years. All organisations across the globe are contributing their fair share in the development of AI. According to a Mckinsey Report, “ASEAN lags in the development of AI, but there is an activity in each of its member state”. G7 has been a popular forum for leaders of some of the largest democracies to discuss AI issues. European Commission, had established the High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence, the members of which were afore for AI-related debates. Alongside, there are several state-led initiatives as well actively contributing to the global development of AI.
Source: indiaai.gov.in
