International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI)

“The Centre aims to provide a coordination point, funding route and exploitation accelerator for approaches to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that make use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).”

OBJECTIVES

“Research, advocacy, capacity-building and dissemination of information about AI.”

1

Conduct theoretical and applied research in the field of artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies.

2

Develop open solutions to help achieve Sustainable Development Goals with specific focus on SDGs 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 16 and 17.

3

Provide policy support to help Member States address the technical, legal, social and ethical challenges at the intersection of technology and policy.

4

Provide training for upstream and downstream capacity enhancement for artificial intelligence.

5

Encourage multi-stakeholder participation and decision making in addressing the challenges raised by artificial intelligence.

6

Disseminate information and encourage literacy about artificial intelligence.

7

Promote measures for removal of gender bias in the development and deployment of artificial intelligence.

8

Facilitate North-North and North-South cooperation in the development of artificial intelligence with special emphasis on supporting the development of a vibrant AI ecosystem in Africa.

STRATEGIES

“Applying cutting-edge science to solve real-world problems.”

RESEARCH

The goal will be to develop artificial intelligence-based tools, products and services to help UNESCO Member States accelerate their efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Legal, ethical, economic and societal implications of these technologies will be addressed to make AI fair, transparent, and ethical. Researchers will be provided access to data, tools, services, platforms and indicators relevant to AI.

Open AI Solutions, Build-Measure-Learn Model of Adopting AI, AI Future Scenario Planning, Cross-Disciplinary Reflections on AI, AI Observatory of SDGs data

POLICY INNOVATION

By exploring wider implications of AI on society the Centre will provide expert advice to policy- and decision-makers on how best to apply AI for SDGs. A set of guidelines, information collection protocols, AI tool kits, policy briefs and regional analysis of AI ecosystem will be prepared. Based on them the Centre will help build effective policy decisions and operational frameworks related to AI for public service delivery, greater transparency and accountability.

Development of Indicators, Policy Support, Multi-Stakeholder Platform, Civil Society Outreach

POLICY INNOVATION

By exploring wider implications of AI on society the Centre will provide expert advice to policy- and decision-makers on how best to apply AI for SDGs. A set of guidelines, information collection protocols, AI tool kits, policy briefs and regional analysis of AI ecosystem will be prepared. Based on them the Centre will help build effective policy decisions and operational frameworks related to AI for public service delivery, greater transparency and accountability.

Development of Indicators, Policy Support, Multi-Stakeholder Platform, Civil Society Outreach

AI TALENT

Education systems need to anticipate changes in the skills required in a world where interactions with people and environment are increasingly mediated by technology. The Centre will collaborate and partner with other institutions to address challenges to education in the digital age and develop tools, guidelines and content to address the changing education needs of the world. A connected network of centres will bring together academic expertise from world-class universities, industries, governments, and other stakeholders will provide insights for updating education systems.

Training, Networking

IMPACT AND OUTREACH

The Centre understands the need to communicate scientific research and to engage with the wider public in the spirit of Citizen Science. This will be achieved through public events, workshops and conferences specifically tailored to address AI research in developmental topics and specific SDGs. By boosting technology transfer, research results and policy support the Centre will reach out to other AI initiatives from public to private sector.

Advocacy, Engagement

IMPACT AND OUTREACH

The Centre understands the need to communicate scientific research and to engage with the wider public in the spirit of Citizen Science. This will be achieved through public events, workshops and conferences specifically tailored to address AI research in developmental topics and specific SDGs. By boosting technology transfer, research results and policy support the Centre will reach out to other AI initiatives from public to private sector.

Advocacy, Engagement