UNRIC Library Backgrounder: Artificial Intelligence – Selected Online Resources

PDF

“What is artificial intelligence? There is no universal definition of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is generally considered to be a discipline of computer science that is aimed at developing machines and systems that can carry out tasks considered to require human intelligence. Machine learning and deep learning are two subsets of AI. In recent years, with the development of new neural networks techniques and hardware, AI is usually perceived as a synonym for “deep supervised machine learning”.”

WIPO Website on Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property

“AI brings enormous benefits to the digital era, but it can also significantly compromise the safety and agency of users worldwide. Enhanced multi-stakeholder efforts on global AI cooperation are needed to help build global capacity for the development and use of AI in a manner that is trustworthy, human rights-based, safe and sustainable, and promotes peace.”

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation:
Providing Global Steerage on Artificial Intelligence (1-page brief)

“We need a global, multidisciplinary conversation in order to examine, assess and align the application of AI and other emerging technologies. Over 100 sets of ethical AI principles have been developed by different stakeholders, and they share many common ideas, including the need for AI applications to be reliable, transparent, accountable, overseen by humans and capable of being shut down. Different stakeholders are adapting existing frameworks or developing new ones for risk management and redress. They need to be harmonized and effective across borders. Industry self-regulation is not enough. We need to bring stakeholders together in a meaningful effort to consider the implications of emerging technologies and ensure that they align with universal human rights and values before their widespread application in our societies, economies, militaries and politics.”

Our Common Agenda – Policy Brief 5: A Global Digital Compact –
An Open, Free and Secure Digital Future for All (May 2023)

UN Entities

• Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  https://www.un.org/en/ai-advisory-body
  • Governing AI for Humanity
    • Final Report, 19 September 2024: https://tinyurl.com/mvhnadva
    • Interim Report, December 2023: https://tinyurl.com/ebysf6eh
• UN AI Actions
  https://aiforgood.itu.int/about-ai-for-good/un-ai-actions/
  AI for Good is organized in partnership with 40 UN sister agencies who actively participate and shape our programming by sharing valuable expertise and collaborating on joint sessions.
• UN Inter-Agency Working Group on AI (IAWG-AI)
  https://unsceb.org/topics/artificial-intelligence
• UN News Centre on “Artificial Intelligence”:
  https://news.un.org/en/tags/artificial-intelligence
  • The promise and peril of runaway technological advances (21 October 2024): https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/10/1155946
  • ‘Irrefutable’ need for global regulation of AI: UN experts (19 September 2024): https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/09/1154541
  • The push to connect a digitally divided world and counter AI threats (16 September 2024): https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/09/1154336
  • Unchecked AI threatens democracy, warns UN chief (15 September 2024): https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/09/1154316
  • How to develop ‘ethical AI’ and avoid potential dangers (UN News, 23 February 2024): https://news.un.org/en/interview/2024/02/1146762
  • Interview: AI expert warns of digital colonization in Africa (2 January 2024): https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/01/1144342
  • Interview: The UN’s role in setting international rules for the use of A.I. (1 January 2024): https://news.un.org/en/interview/2024/01/1145192
  • Explainer: How AI helps combat climate change (3 November 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/11/1143187
• General Assembly
  • The General Assembly adopts a resolution on artificial intelligence on 1 July 2024: https://press.un.org/en/2024/ga12612.doc.htm
    • A/RES/78/311: Enhancing international cooperation on capacity-building of artificial intelligence: https://undocs.org/A/RES/78/311
  • General Assembly adopts landmark resolution on steering artificial intelligence towards global good, faster realization of sustainable development (GA/12588, 21 March 2024): https://press.un.org/en/2024/ga12588.doc.htm
    • A/RES/78/265: Seizing the opportunities of safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for sustainable development: https://undocs.org/A/RES/78/265
• Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
  • ECOSOC Special Meeting on “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, 7 May 2024: https://ecosoc.un.org/en/events/2024/ecosoc-special-meeting-harnessing-artificial-intelligence-sustainable-development-goals
  • Commission on the Status of Women – Interactive dialogue on emerging issue/focus area “Artificial Intelligence to advance gender equality: challenges and opportunities:” Chair’s summary (E/CN.6/2024/15, 23 March 2024): https://undocs.org/E/CN.6/2024/15
• United Nations. Department of Economic and Social Affairs
  • Artificial Intelligence – a blessing or a curse for sustainable development? (10 November 2023): https://www.un.org/en/desa/artificial-intelligence-blessing-or-curse-sustainable-development
    In recent years, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown rapidly, affecting many industries and areas of human life. But should we view AI as a blessing or curse? How about its impact on social development and the global goals? We spoke with Professor Daron Acemoglu of the Department of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who shared his take.
• United Nations. Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology
  https://www.un.org/techenvoy/
  https://www.un.org/techenvoy/content/artificial-intelligence
• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
  https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/AI/Pages/default.aspx
  • Global Initiative on Resilience to Natural Hazards through AI Solutions: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/extcoop/ai4resilience/Pages/default.aspx 
  • Could AI revolutionize climate action? (11 November 2024): https://www.itu.int/hub/2024/11/could-ai-revolutionize-climate-action/
  • New global agreements on AI, metaverse and sustainability at key ITU standards conference (24 October 2024): https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2024-10-24-WTSA-closing.aspx
  • ITU advances work on latest UN calls for global AI standards and capacity development: Actions to address priorities of the Global Digital Compact are in focus at key ITU standards conference (18 October 2024): https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2024-10-18-global-AI-standards.aspx
  • Help us ensure that AI standards create a better world / Seizo Onoe, Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, ITU (14 October 2024): https://www.itu.int/hub/2024/10/help-us-ensure-that-ai-standards-create-a-better-world/
  • Key findings on the state of global AI Governance (17 July 2024): https://www.itu.int/hub/2024/07/key-findings-on-the-state-of-global-ai-governance/
  • Inclusive, responsible AI needs women front and centre (5 July 2024): https://www.itu.int/hub/2024/07/inclusive-responsible-ai-needs-women-front-and-centre/
  • Digital regulators embrace strategy to unlock benefits of transformative technologies: ITU’s Global Symposium for Regulators 2024 explores policies for impact in AI, space economy and climate action (4 July 2024): https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2024-07-04-gsr-closing-pr.aspx
  • Broadband Commission assesses AI and the digital divides: ‘The State of Broadband 2024’ considers how artificial intelligence can help bring Internet services to everyone, everywhere (20 June 2024): https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2024-06-20-Broadband-Commission-assesses-AI.aspx
  • Taking the pulse of our planet with AI / By Thomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General, ITU (5 June 2024): https://www.itu.int/hub/2024/06/taking-the-pulse-of-our-planet-with-ai/
  • AI Governance Day: From principles to implementation (30 May 2024): https://www.itu.int/hub/2024/05/ai-governance-day-from-principles-to-implementation/
  • AI watermarking for multimedia authenticity (27 May 2024): https://www.itu.int/hub/2024/05/ai-watermarking-a-watershed-for-multimedia-authenticity/
  • Detecting deepfakes: Generative AI uptake casts doubt on multimedia content (24 May 2024): https://www.itu.int/hub/2024/05/detecting-deepfakes-generative-ai-uptake-casts-doubt-on-multimedia-content/
  • ITU’s AI for Good Global Summit hosts talks on AI governance (16 May 2024): https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2024-05-16-AI-governance-day.aspx
  • Moving AI governance from principles to practice (19 April 2024): https://www.itu.int/hub/2024/04/moving-ai-governance-from-principles-to-practice/
  • Wanted: AI-based pledges to connect the world (11 March 2024): https://www.itu.int/hub/2024/03/wanted-ai-based-pledges-to-connect-the-world/
  • Let’s not let AI leave the world behind / By Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General, ITU (12 February 2024): https://www.itu.int/hub/2024/02/lets-not-let-ai-leave-the-world-behind/
  • Fostering AI action for good (29 November 2023): https://www.itu.int/hub/2023/11/how-itu-powers-ai-action-for-good/
  • AI offers green digital solutions for climate change (10 November 2023): https://www.itu.int/hub/2023/11/ai-offers-green-digital-solutions-for-climate-change/
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
  • Artificial Intelligence: https://www.unesco.org/en/artificial-intelligence
  • Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: https://www.unesco.org/en/artificial-intelligence/recommendation-ethics
  • Artificial intelligence and the Futures of Learning: https://databases.unesco.org/en/digital-education/ai-future-learning
  • Women4Ethical AI Conference: Advancing Gender Equality in Artificial Intelligence (7 November 2024): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/women4ethical-ai-conference-advancing-gender-equality-artificial-intelligence
  • Placing Ethics at the Center: IE University Launches UNESCO Chair in AI Ethics and Governance (7 November 2024): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/placing-ethics-center-ie-university-launches-unesco-chair-ai-ethics-and-governance
  • UNESCO’s support to AU’s Continental AI Framework and Strategy: Harnessing AI for Africa’s Development and Prosperity (28 August 2024): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unescos-support-aus-continental-ai-framework-and-strategy
  • UNESCO launches open consultation on new guidelines for AI use in judicial systems (2 August 2024): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-launches-open-consultation-new-guidelines-ai-use-judicial-systems
  • Safe Offline, Safe Online: On AI and Cybersecurity (29 July 2024): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/safe-offline-safe-online-ai-and-cybersecurity
  • Mainstreaming accessibility and inclusivity in AI and digital technologies (25 July 2024): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/mainstreaming-accessibility-and-inclusivity-ai-and-digital-technologies
  • A new milestone for artificial intelligence in Africa with the first UNESCO affiliated centre (4 July 2024): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/new-milestone-artificial-intelligence-africa-first-unesco-affiliated-centre
  • Youth Powering Media and Information Literacy Responses to the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (27 May 2024): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/youth-powering-media-and-information-literacy-responses-use-generative-artificial-intelligence
  • Blog post: Lifelong learning in the age of AI (19 March 2024): https://www.uil.unesco.org/en/articles/blog-post-lifelong-learning-age-ai
  • Generative AI: UNESCO study reveals alarming evidence of regressive gender stereotypes (7 March 2024): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/generative-ai-unesco-study-reveals-alarming-evidence-regressive-gender-stereotypes
  • AI Ethics: 8 global tech companies commit to apply to UNESCO’s Recommendation (5 February 2024): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/ai-ethics-8-global-tech-companies-commit-apply-unescos-recommendation
  • Examining Media and Information Literacy Responses to Generative AI: A UNESCO Policy Brief (2 February 2024): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/examining-media-and-information-literacy-responses-generative-ai-unesco-policy-brief
  • The UNESCO Business Council for the Ethics of AI was officially launched (5 December 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-business-council-ethics-ai-was-officially-launched
  • UNESCO and Smart Africa: Empowering African Judicial Operators in AI and the Rule of Law (6 November 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-and-smart-africa
  • UNESCO: Governments must quickly regulate Generative AI in schools (7 September 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-governments-must-quickly-regulate-generative-ai-schools
  • Artificial Intelligence: UNESCO calls on all Governments to implement Global Ethical Framework without delay (30 March 2023): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/artificial-intelligence-unesco-calls-all-governments-implement-global-ethical-framework-without
• Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
  • World Food Forum: The pivotal role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital tools in making agrifood systems climate resilient (19 October 2023): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/world-food-forum–the-pivotal-role-of-artificial-intelligence-(ai)-and-digital-tools-in-making-agrifood-systems-climate-resilient/en
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
  • The IAEA’s platform for partnership on AI: https://nucleus.iaea.org/sites/ai4atoms/SitePages/Home.aspx
  • Data centres, artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies eye advanced nuclear to meet growing power needs (IAEA Bulletin, Vol. 65-3, October 2024): https://www.iaea.org/bulletin/data-centres-artificial-intelligence-and-cryptocurrencies-eye-advanced-nuclear-to-meet-growing-power-needs
  • Enhancing Nuclear Power Production with Artificial Intelligence (23 February 2024): https://www.iaea.org/bulletin/enhancing-nuclear-power-production-with-artificial-intelligence
• International Civil Aviation Agency (ICAO)
  https://www.icao.int/safety/Pages/Artificial-Intelligence-(AI).aspx
  • Global aviation leaders chart path for artificial intelligence integration at Antalya conference (20 November 2024): https://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/Global-aviation-leaders-chart-path-for-artificial-intelligence-integration-at-Antalya-conference.aspx
• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
  • 4 ways IFAD is using AI to transform rural development (18 April 2024): https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/4-ways-ifad-is-using-ai-to-transform-rural-development
  • Call to innovators to join innovation challenge on AI for climate resilience in rural areas (5 October 2023): https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/call-to-innovators-to-join-innovation-challenge-on-ai-for-climate-resilience-in-rural-areas
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
  • Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital Economy: https://www.ilo.org/artificial-intelligence-and-work-digital-economy
  • ILO Director-General emphasizes the positive potential of AI and the importance of proper management for an inclusive digital transition (11 September 2024): https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/ilo-director-general-emphasizes-positive-potential-ai-and-importance-proper
  • AI’s role in evaluating job prestige and value spotlighted by new ILO research (2 February 2024): https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_910138/lang–en/index.htm
  • Podcast – Is Generative AI the answer to low productivity? (5 January 2024): https://voices.ilo.org/podcast/is-generative-ai-the-answer-to-low-productivity
  • Podcast – Artificial Intelligence and the future of work: A threat or a promise? (20 November 2023): https://www.ilo.org/resource/other/artificial-intelligence-and-future-work-threat-or-promise
  • Podcast – Job quality or job quantity – which will AI affect most? (4 October 2023): https://voices.ilo.org/podcast/job-quality-or-job-quantity–which-will-ai-affect-most
  • Generative AI likely to augment rather than destroy jobs: ILO report assesses the impact of generative artificial intelligence on job quantity and quality (21 August 2023): https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_890740/lang–en/index.htm
  • Podcast – Artificial Intelligence and the world of work – should we be scared? (28 April 2023): https://voices.ilo.org/podcast/artificial-intelligence-and-the-world-of-work–should-we-be-scared
• International Monetary Fund (IMF)
  • AI Preparedness Index (AIPI): https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/datasets/AIPI
  • Artificial Intelligence Can Make Markets More Efficient—and More Volatile (IMF Blog, 15 October 2024): https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2024/10/15/artificial-intelligence-can-make-markets-more-efficient-and-more-volatile
  • Mapping the World’s Readiness for Artificial Intelligence Shows Prospects Diverge (IMF Blog, 25 June 2024): https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2024/06/25/mapping-the-worlds-readiness-for-artificial-intelligence-shows-prospects-diverge
  • The Economic Impacts and the Regulation of AI: A Review of the Academic Literature and Policy Actions (IMF Working Paper No. 2024/065): https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/2024/03/22/The-Economic-Impacts-and-the-Regulation-of-AI-A-Review-of-the-Academic-Literature-and-546645
  • AI Will Transform the Global Economy. Let’s Make Sure It Benefits Humanity / by Kristalina Georgieva (IMF Blog, 14 January 2024): https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2024/01/14/ai-will-transform-the-global-economy-lets-make-sure-it-benefits-humanity
  • Gen-AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work (IMF Staff Discussion Note, 14 January 2024): https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Staff-Discussion-Notes/Issues/2024/01/14/Gen-AI-Artificial-Intelligence-and-the-Future-of-Work-542379
  • Podcast – AI that Shares the Wealth (4 January 2024): https://www.imf.org/en/News/Podcasts/All-Podcasts/2024/01/04/stephanie-bell
  • IMF Blog – The AI Awakening (30 November 2023): https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2023/11/30/FandD-the-AI-awakening
• United Nations Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
  • ReliefWeb – Artificial Intelligence in Humanitarian Action: https://reliefweb.int/topic/artificial-intelligence-humanitarian-action
  • Unlocking the Power of AI for Humanitarians (6 August 2024): https://reliefweb.int/blogpost/unlocking-power-ai-humanitarians
  • Briefing Note on Artificial Intelligence and the Humanitarian Sector (17 April 2024)
    https://reliefweb.int/report/world/briefing-note-artificial-intelligence-and-humanitarian-sector
• United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs (ODA)
  • Promoting Responsible Innovation in Artificial Intelligence for Peace and Security: https://disarmament.unoda.org/responsible-innovation-ai/
    Blog, Resources, Activities & Podcasts
  • ODA and SIPRI launch initiative on responsible innovation in AI for peace and security (4 April 2023): https://disarmament.unoda.org/update/oda-and-sipri-launch-initiative-on-responsible-innovation-in-ai-for-peace-and-security/
• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
  • OHCHR and privacy in the digital age: https://www.ohchr.org/en/privacy-in-the-digital-age
  • Hub for Human Rights and Digital Technology: https://www.digitalhub.ohchr.org/artificialintelligence
  • Artificial intelligence, biodiversity and trade among themes to be discussed at 10th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development (24 October 2024): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/10/artificial-intelligence-biodiversity-and-trade-among-themes-be-discussed
  • Racism and AI: “Bias from the past leads to bias in the future” (30 July 2024): https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2024/07/racism-and-ai-bias-past-leads-bias-future
  • AI for the 2030 Agenda: Artificial intelligence could be a game-changer for sustainable development (14 June 2024): https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2024/06/artificial-intelligence-game-changer-sustainable-development
  • Is AI a force for good? (23 February 2024): https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2024/02/ai-force-good
  • Privacy is key in processing personal data by AI: UN expert (16 October 2023): https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/10/privacy-key-processing-personal-data-ai-un-expert
• UN Women
  • Artificial Intelligence and gender equality (22 May 2024): https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2024/05/artificial-intelligence-and-gender-equality
  • HeForShe summit discusses gender bias in AI and how to encourage male feminist allies (29 September 2023): https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2023/09/heforshe-summit-discusses-gender-bias-in-ai-and-how-to-encourage-male-feminist-allies
• United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
  • AI & Cities: Risks, Applications and Governance: https://unhabitat.org/ai-cities-risks-applications-and-governance
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
  • Making artificial intelligence work better for consumers and societies (15 March 2024): https://unctad.org/news/making-artificial-intelligence-work-better-consumers-and-societies
  • Podcast – The rise of the machines: What does AI mean for our jobs, privacy and humanity? (15 June 2023): https://unctad.org/podcast/rise-machines-what-does-ai-mean-our-jobs-privacy-and-humanity
  • How artificial intelligence chatbots could affect jobs (18 January 2023): https://unctad.org/news/blog-how-artificial-intelligence-chatbots-could-affect-jobs
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • SDG AI Lab – Harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development: https://sdgailab.org/
  • Artificial intelligence/Machine learning: https://www.undp.org/tag/artificial-intelligence/machine-learning
  • Equitable AI for Africa: Unlocking new engines of growth and creativity (14 November 2024): https://www.undp.org/blog/equitable-ai-africa
  • Global collective action platform for Responsible AI for Sustainable Development initiated by UN Development Programme and Germany’s Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (8 October 2024): https://www.undp.org/press-releases/global-collective-action-platform-responsible-ai-sustainable-development-initiated-un-development-programme-and-germanys-ministry
  • UNDP – Promise and peril: Reflecting on digitalization and democracy (12 September 2024): https://www.undp.org/blog/promise-and-peril
  • Ensuring positive, people-focused futures through AI: When AI stands for accessible and inclusive (29 May 2024): https://www.undp.org/blog/ensuring-positive-people-focused-futures-through-ai
  • Harnessing artificial intelligence for health: Innovations to improve healthcare access and end tuberculosis (25 March 2024): https://www.undp.org/stories/harnessing-artificial-intelligence-health
  • OSDG Initiative Recognized in Top 100 AI Projects for Advancing Sustainable Development Goals (29 November 2023): https://www.undp.org/news/osdg-initiative-recognized-top-100-ai-projects-advancing-sustainable-development-goals
  • Thinking DEEP to ensure AI delivers the greatest impact (4 October 2023): https://www.undp.org/blog/thinking-deep-ensure-ai-delivers-greatest-impact
  • Making AI work for us: Ethical and responsible artificial intelligence is an accelerator for sustainable development (29 August 2023): https://feature.undp.org/making-ai-work-for-us/
• United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
  • UNECE launches declaration on products with embedded AI calling for global cooperation to address regulatory challenges (4 November 2024): https://unece.org/media/news/396328
  • Generative AI already having significant impact in Statistical Organizations, reveals UNECE survey (9 September 2024): https://unece.org/media/news/394163
  • UNECE explores how AI can accelerate climate action and infrastructure resilience (10 July 2024): https://unece.org/media/news/392730
  • Third Forum of UNECE Working Party on Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies to focus on digital, green transformation including AI (15 February 2024): https://unece.org/media/news/388300
  • UNECE and partners to develop AI-powered platform to help build resilient energy systems (18 September 2023): https://unece.org/media/press/382688
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) end-to-end: The Environmental Impact of the Full AI Lifecycle Needs to be Comprehensively Assessed – Issue Note, September 2024: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46288
  • AI has an environmental problem. Here’s what the world can do about that. (21 September 2024): https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/ai-has-environmental-problem-heres-what-world-can-do-about
  • How artificial intelligence is helping tackle environmental challenges (7 November 2022): https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/how-artificial-intelligence-helping-tackle-environmental-challenges
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
  • Data Innovation: https://www.unhcr.org/innovation/data-innovation/
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
  • Generation AI: Engaging stakeholders to build AI powered solutions that help realize and uphold child rights: https://www.unicef.org/innovation/GenerationAI
• United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)
  • Artificial Intelligence and Robotics: https://unicri.it/topics/ai_robotics
• UNICRI Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (The Hague, The Netherlands)
  http://www.unicri.it/news/article/Launch_Centre_AI_Robotics
  http://www.unicri.it/in_focus/on/UNICRI_Centre_Artificial_Robotics
  https://unicri.it/topics/ai_robotics/centre
• United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)
  https://unidir.org/focus-area/artificial-intelligence/
  • UNIDIR Artificial Intelligence Policy Portal: https://aipolicyportal.org/
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
  • Global Alliance on AI for Industry & Manufacturing: https://aim.unido.org/
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
  • The Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence: https://www.unodc.org/ji/en/knowledge-products/artificial-intelligence.html
• United Nations University (UNU)
  https://unu.edu/topics/artificial-intelligence
  • UNU Artificial Intelligence Network: https://aimacau-2024.org/unu-ai-network/
  • UNU Global AI Network Members: https://unu.edu/macau/announcement/unu-global-ai-network-members
  • We need good governance to shape AI for good (29 May 2024): https://unu.edu/article/we-need-good-governance-shape-ai-good
  • The UNU Global AI Network is officially launched (14 May 2024): https://unu.edu/macau/news/unu-global-ai-network-officially-launched
  • One UN on AI – UNU Macau AI Conference 2024 fosters global dialogue under the theme of “AI for All”, promoting a safe, secure, and trustworthy AI system (6 May 2024): https://unu.edu/macau/news/one-un-ai
  • Now Is Our Chance to Govern AI for Women’s Empowerment: The rapid advance of artificial intelligence calls for proactive AI policies and actions that counter threats to gender equality (14 March 2024): https://unu.edu/article/now-our-chance-govern-ai-womens-empowerment
  • Disinformation and Peacebuilding in Sub-Saharan Africa: Security Implications of AI-Altered Information Environments (UNU Report, 13 February 2024): https://unu.edu/publication/disinformation-and-peacebuilding-sub-saharan-africa
  • AI and International Relations — a Whole New Minefield to Navigate (23 November 2023): https://unu.edu/article/ai-and-international-relations-whole-new-minefield-navigate
  • UNU Launches a New Series of Webinar – Conversational Series: An Indepth Exploration into ChatGPT and Generative AI (7 August 2023): https://unu.edu/macau/news/unu-launches-new-series-webinar-conversational-series-indepth-exploration-chatgpt-and
• United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
  • UNV optimizes data for the future (26 June 2024): https://www.unv.org/Success-stories/unv-optimizes-data-future
• Universal Postal Union (UPU)
  • UPU launches AI-focused Innovation Challenge amidst postal conference (29 May 2024): https://www.upu.int/en/news/2024/may/upu-launches-aifocused-innovation-challenge-amidst-postal-conference
• World Food Programme (WFP)
  • Innovation Accelerator: https://innovation.wfp.org/
• World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Global Initiative on AI for Health: https://www.who.int/initiatives/global-initiative-on-ai-for-health
  • Big data and artificial intelligence: https://www.who.int/teams/health-ethics-governance/emerging-technologies/big-data-and-artificial-intelligence
  • WHO unveils a digital health promoter harnessing generative AI for public health (2 April 2024): https://www.who.int/news/item/02-04-2024-who-unveils-a-digital-health-promoter-harnessing-generative-ai-for-public-health
  • The role of artificial intelligence in sexual and reproductive health and rights (21 March 2024): https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240090705
  • WHO releases AI ethics and governance guidance for large multi-modal models (18 January 2024): https://www.who.int/news/item/18-01-2024-who-releases-ai-ethics-and-governance-guidance-for-large-multi-modal-models
  • AI shows ‘great promise for health’ but regulation is key: WHO chief (19 October 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1142527
  • WHO calls for safe and ethical AI for health (16 May 2023): https://www.who.int/news/item/16-05-2023-who-calls-for-safe-and-ethical-ai-for-health
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
  • Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property: https://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/frontier_technologies/ai_and_ip.html
• World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
  • Big Tech and Artificial Intelligence can support Early Warnings for All (31 May 2023): https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/big-tech-and-artificial-intelligence-can-support-early-warnings-all
  • Exploring the possibilities of Artificial Intelligence in the areas of water, weather and climate (30 May 2023): https://community.wmo.int/en/news/exploring-possibilities-artificial-intelligence-areas-water-weather-and-climate
  • Artificial intelligence can boost disaster management (12 February 2021): https://wmo.int/media/news/artificial-intelligence-can-boost-disaster-management
• World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism)
  • Transformational role of artificial intelligence highlighted as UN Tourism brings leaders together (7 November 2024): https://www.unwto.org/news/transformational-role-of-artificial-intelligence-highlighted-as-un-tourism-brings-leaders-together
• World Trade Organization (WTO)
  • Digital technologies and trade: https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/reser_e/digitaltech_e.htm

UN Events & Conferences

• AI for Good Global Summit 2025 — 8-11 July 2025, Geneva, Switzerland: https://aiforgood.itu.int/summit25/
• Bonn AI & Climate 2024 (1-2 July 2024)
  https://unu.edu/ehs/announcement/bonn-ai-climate-2024
  UNU-EHS, in collaboration with UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, is organizing an Expert Meeting on AI & Climate.
• AI for Good Global Summit 2024 — 30-31 May 2024, Geneva, Switzerland: https://aiforgood.itu.int/summit24/
• The UNU Macau AI Conference 2024: the Path towards AI For All, 25 April 2024
  https://aimacau-2024.org/
• 2^nd Global Forum on the Ethics of AI — 5 and 6 February 2024, Kranj, Slovenia: https://www.unesco.org/en/forum-ethics-ai
• United Nations Security Council Arria-Formula meeting on Artificial Intelligence, 19 December 2023 – Video: http://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1g/k1glfm55l2
• Security Council, 9381st meeting, 18 July 2023: “Artificial intelligence: opportunities and risks for international peace and security”
  • Webcast: https://media.un.org/avlibrary/en/asset/d307/d3072357
  • Press Release: https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15359.doc.htm
  • UN News Centre Story: https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/07/1138827
  • Concept Note: https://undocs.org/S/2023/528
  • Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality — Used Responsibly — Can Help Peacebuilding Efforts (Politically Speaking, 17 July 2023): https://bit.ly/43InFca
• AI For Good Global Summit 2023 — 6-7 July 2023, Geneva, Switzerland: https://aiforgood.itu.int/summit23/
• Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence — 13 December 2022, Prague, Czech Republic: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/first-global-forum-ethics-ai-held-prague-one-year-after-adoption-unescos-recommendation
• UNESCO International Forum on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Education — 5-6 December 2022: https://aiedforum.org

Selected Publications & Documents

• Trading with intelligence: How AI shapes and is shaped by international trade (WTO, November 2024): https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/publications_e/trading_with_intelligence_e.htm
• Understanding Artificial Intelligence in Tax and Customs Administration: Technical Notes and Manuals (IMF, November 2024): https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/TNM/Issues/2024/11/21/Understanding-Artificial-Intelligence-in-Tax-and-Customs-Administration-555097
• Compliance of products with embedded artificial intelligence (UNECE, October 2024): https://unece.org/info/publications/pub/396212
• Draft Guidelines for the Development of a National Strategy on AI in Security and Defence (UNIDIR, 24 October 2024): https://unidir.org/publication/draft-guidelines-for-the-development-of-a-national-strategy-on-ai-in-security-and-defence/
• AI for Good Impact Report (ITU, October 2024): https://tinyurl.com/35u585zc
• 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 (OECD / UNESCO, October 2024): https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000391566
• Generative AI: A New Threat for Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (UNICRI Centre for AI and Robotics, September 2024): https://unicri.it/News-Generative-AI-Threat-Child-Sexual-Exploitation-Abuse
• Global Assessment of Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Cities: Research and recommendations to leverage AI for people-centred smart cities (UNU-EGOV / UN-Habitat / IDRC, September 2024): https://collections.unu.edu/view/UNU:9789
• Governance of Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain: A Multi-stakeholder Perspective on Priority Areas (Policy Brief) (UNIDIR, September 2024): https://unidir.org/publication/governance-of-artificial-intelligence-in-the-military-domain-a-multi-stakeholder-perspective-on-priority-areas/
• The Global Kaleidoscope of Military AI Governance (UNIDIR, September 2024): https://unidir.org/publication/the-global-kaleidoscope-of-military-ai-governance/
• Gender and Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (UNIDIR August 2024): https://unidir.org/publication/gender-and-lethal-autonomous-weapons-systems/
• From Al Hol to Hope: Navigating Return and Reintegration Challenges (Findings Report 37, UNIDIR, August 2024): https://doi.org/10.37559/MEAC/24/06
• Harnessing the Power of AI for Climate Change Impact Assessment (UNU-INWEH, 2024)
  https://collections.unu.edu/eserv/UNU:9738/Harnessing_the_Power_of_AI__Obringer__2024_.pdf
• The UNU Macau AI Conference 2024: Conference Proceedings Report: https://unu.edu/macau/news/unu-macau-ai-conference-2024-conference-proceedings-report
• AI Hub for Sustainable Development: Strengthening Local AI Ecosystems through Collective Action (UNDP, July 2024): https://www.undp.org/publications/ai-hub-sustainable-development-strengthening-local-ai-ecosystems-through-collective-action
• UNU Macau Ai Conference AI For All: Bridging Divides, Building a Sustainable Future / Policy Directions distilled by UNU Macau – A Contribution to the Summit of the future (July 2024): https://unu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-07/UNU_AI_ConferencePolicyReport_ADV6.pdf
• Patent Landscape Report – Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) (WIPO, July 2024): https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/patent-landscape-report-generative-artificial-intelligence-genai/index.html
• Confidence-Building Measures for Artificial Intelligence: A Multilateral Perspective (UNIDIR, July 2024): https://unidir.org/publication/confidence-building-measures-for-artificial-intelligence-a-multilateral-perspective/
• Artificial Intelligence in Social Security Organizations (UNU-EGOV / ISSA, June 2024): https://unu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-06/2-AI%20in%20SecSoc%202024.pdf
• UNESCO Global Judges’ Initiative: survey on the use of AI systems by judicial operators (June 2024): https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000389786
• AI and the Holocaust: rewriting history? The impact of artificial intelligence on understanding the Holocaust (UNESCO, June 2024): https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000390211
• United Nations Activities on Artificial Intelligence (AI) (ITU, June 2024): https://www.itu.int/hub/publication/s-gen-unact-2023/
• Artificial intelligence and democracy (UNESCO, May 2024): https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000389736
• Artificial Intelligence for Health: Supporting countries to deploy responsible AI technologies to accelerate equitable health for all (WHO, May 2024): https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/artificial-intelligence-for-health
• Artificial intelligence governance to reinforce the 2030 Agenda and leave no one behind (E/C.16/2024/7, 29 January 2024): https://undocs.org/E/C.16/2024/7
• Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property: An Economic Perspective – Economic Research Working Paper No.77 (WIPO, 2024): https://www.wipo.int/publications/en/details.jsp?id=4715&plang=EN
• Getting the innovation ecosystem ready for AI: An IP policy toolkit (WIPO, 2024): https://www.wipo.int/publications/en/details.jsp?id=4711&plang=EN
• A Guide to Generative AI and Intellectual Property (WIPO, 2024): https://www.wipo.int/publications/en/details.jsp?id=4713&plang=EN
• UNESCO Courier, October-December 2023: Education in the age of artificial intelligence: https://courier.unesco.org/en/articles/education-age-artificial-intelligence
• Gen-AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work (ILO, January 2024): https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Staff-Discussion-Notes/Issues/2024/01/14/Gen-AI-Artificial-Intelligence-and-the-Future-of-Work-542379
• AI and International Security: Understanding the Risks and Paving the Path for Confidence-Building Measures (UNIDIR, October 2023): https://unidir.org/publication/ai-and-international-security-understanding-the-risks-and-paving-the-path-for-confidence-building-measures/
• Artificial Intelligence Beyond Weapons: Application and Impact of AI in the Military Domain (UNIDIR, October 2023): https://unidir.org/publication/artificial-intelligence-beyond-weapons-application-and-impact-of-ai-in-the-military-domain/
• Guidance for generative AI in education and research (UNESCO, September 2023): https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000386693
• The Use of Synthetic Data to Train AI Models: Opportunities and Risks for Sustainable Development (UNU Policy Brief, September 2023): https://unu.edu/publication/use-synthetic-data-train-ai-models-opportunities-and-risks-sustainable-development
• Toolkit for Responsible AI Innovation in Law Enforcement (UNICRI and INTERPOL, June 2023): https://unicri.it/Publication/Toolkit-for-Responsible-AI-Innovation-in-Law-Enforcement-UNICRI-INTERPOL
• Our Common Agenda – Policy Brief 5: A Global Digital Compact – An Open, Free and Secure Digital Future for All (May 2023): https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/our-common-agenda-policy-brief-gobal-digi-compact-en.pdf
• Reporting on artificial intelligence: a handbook for journalism educators (UNESCO, 2023): https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000384551
• Open data for AI: what now? (UNESCO, 2023): https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000385841
• Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (UNESCO, 2022): https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000381137
• 2022 United Nations Activities on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Report: https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-s/opb/gen/S-GEN-UNACT-2022-PDF-E.pdf
• Inside AI: An Algorithmic Adventure (UNESCO’s first graphic novel on Artificial Intelligence, 2022): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/inside-ai-algorithmic-adventure
• Multistakeholder AI development: 10 building blocks for inclusive policy design (UNESCO, 2022): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/multistakeholder-ai-development
• The Effects of AI on the Working Lives of Women (UNESCO/OECD/IDB, 2022): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/effects-ai-working-lives-women
• Artificial intelligence and digital transformation: competencies for civil servants (UNESCO, 2022): https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/artificial-intelligence-and-digital-transformation
• Ageism in artificial intelligence for health (WHO Policy Brief, 9 February 2022): https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240040793
• Policy guidance on AI for children (UNICEF, November 2021): https://www.unicef.org/globalinsight/reports/policy-guidance-ai-children
• The right to privacy in the digital age: Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/48/31, 13 September 2021): https://undocs.org/A/HRC/48/31
  In this report, mandated by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 42/15, the High Commissioner analyses how the widespread use by States and businesses of artificial intelligence, including profiling, automated decision-making and machine-learning technologies, affects the enjoyment of the right to privacy and associated rights
• Ethics and governance of artificial intelligence for health (WHO guidance, 28 June 2021): https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240029200
• Resource Guide on Artificial Intelligence Strategies (April 2021): https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-s/opb/gen/S-GEN-UNACT-2022-PDF-E.pdf
• From Digital Promise to Frontline Practice: New and Emerging Technologies in Humanitarian Action (OCHA, April 2021): https://www.unocha.org/sites/unocha/files/OCHA%20Technology%20Report.pdf
• Artificial intelligence and privacy, and children’s privacy: report of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Privacy, Joseph A. Cannataci (A/HRC/46/37, 25 January 2021): https://undocs.org/A/HRC/46/37
• Report of the High-level Committee on Programmes on its virtual consultation on the ethics of artificial intelligence (CEB/2020/6/Add.1, 21 August 2020): https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3895564
• The militarization of artificial intelligence (August 2019): https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3972613

Further information

• AI from Google Research and UN boosts humanitarian disaster response: Wider coverage, faster damage assessments (UN Global Pulse, 17 October 2024): https://www.unglobalpulse.org/ai-from-google-research-and-un-boosts-humanitarian-disaster-response-wider-coverage-faster-damage-assessments/
• Artificial intelligence: rooting out bias and stereotypes (UN News, 8 October 2024): https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/10/1155446
• Artificial intelligence can ‘save lives, create jobs, foster progress’, Secretary-General tells Seoul Summit (SG/SM/22236, 21 May 2024): https://press.un.org/en/2024/sgsm22236.doc.htm
• Without adequate guardrails, artificial intelligence threatens global security in evolution from algorithms to armaments, speaker tells First Committee: Cyberissues have become foreign policy issues of urgent concern, says another (GA/DIS/3725, 24 October 2023): https://press.un.org/en/2023/gadis3725.doc.htm
• AI reveals world’s top 3 universal concerns (UN News Centre, 6 October 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1141992

21 November 2024
not an official document – for information only
https://unric.org/en/unric-library-backgrounder-artificial-intelligence/