The International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) operates under the auspices of UNESCO, aligning with the principles of the United Nations and contributing to global efforts that prioritize ethical, inclusive, and sustainable technological development. As part of the UNESCO and broader UN family, IRCAI actively supports initiatives that ensure artificial intelligence (AI) serves humanity fairly and responsibly, particularly in areas critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A key focus of IRCAI’s work intersects with the knowledge of Indigenous communities, especially in the context of artificial intelligence (AI). IRCAI contributes to this dialogue by leveraging AI-driven insights to enhance data transparency, equitable resource management, and Indigenous participation in decision-making processes.
In alignment with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, IRCAI seeks to ensure that AI solutions support sustainable extraction, fair trade, and policies that uphold Indigenous sovereignty and environmental stewardship. Through this work, IRCAI reinforces UNESCO’s mandate to advance knowledge, ethics, and international cooperation, ensuring that technological progress benefits all communities, including those most affected by the energy transition.

In response to these challenges, the “Call for Proposals: Empowering Indigenous-Led Startups for Climate Solutions within the Compute for Climate Fellowship” seeks to bridge the gap between by offering Indigenous innovators access to computational resources and mentorship. This initiative aims to empower Indigenous-led startups to harness AI technologies in addressing climate challenges, ensuring their active participation in the global energy transition and the development of sustainable solutions.

The Fellowship is committed to fostering equitable partnerships and recognizes the importance of Indigenous ownership and sovereignty over innovation. As such, the Fellowship will not claim any intellectual property (IP) rights over the work developed during the proof-of-concept phase. All IP remains solely with the Indigenous startup or company, ensuring that their knowledge, technologies, and solutions are fully retained and controlled by them.

By fostering partnerships, the program envisions: