UNESCO Hosts Conference on Benefits and Challenges of AI

Rapid tech advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) – as well as other evolving technologies such as robotics, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things – are changing the way we learn, work and live together.

In response to the major transformations of our societies due to AI, UNESCO – as a global laboratory of ideas, standard setter, policy advisor and capacity builder – will play a leading role in facilitating international cooperation and shaping its future.

UNESCO’s mandate calls inherently for a human-centred approach to AI; to shift the conversation to include AI’s role in addressing current inequalities regarding access to knowledge, research and the diversity of cultural expressions and to ensure AI does not widen the technological divides within and between countries.

The promise of “AI for all” must be that everyone can take advantage of the technological revolution under way and access its fruits, notably in terms of innovation and knowledge.

Building on its record of multi-stakeholder consultation and consensus building, UNESCO will bring together stakeholders from the public and private sector, technical community, media and academia, civil society and international organizations for a global conference on 4 March 2019.

The conference will facilitate dialogue between stakeholder groups on the potential benefits and challenges of AI and its applications. Discussions will focus on the universal aspects of AI, its ethical dimensions, and ways to ensure human-centred and ethical design of AI principles and frameworks rooted in international cooperation.

Photo: UNESCO