The United Nations announced, on 25 November 2021, that the nation members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation ('UNESCO') had adopted the first global agreement on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence ('AI'). In particular, the agreement classifies AI as technological systems which have the capacity to process information in a way that resembles intelligent behaviour, and typically includes aspects of reasoning, learning, perception, prediction, planning, or control. More specifically, the agreement focuses on the broader ethical implications of AI systems in relation to the central domains of UNESCO, namely education, science, culture, communication, and information, and highlights core principles and values, such as diversity and inclusiveness, fairness and non-discrimination, privacy, and human oversight and determination.

Notably, the agreement details which policy areas should operationalise the value and principles provided within, including:

• ethical impact assessment; 
• data policy;
• internation cooperation;
• gender;
• culture; 
• education and research; and 
• health and social well-being.

Further to the above, the agreement recommends the introduction, by Member States, of impact assessments to identify and assess benefits, concerns, and risks of AI systems, as well as risk prevention, mitigation, and monitoring measures. In regard to ethical impact assessments, the agreement states that they should identify impacts on human rights, in particular but not limited to, the rights of vulnerable groups, labour rights, the environment and ecosystems, as well as ethical and social implications, in line with the principles set forth within.

In relation to data protection and privacy, the agreement provides recommendations on data collection, the utilisation of appropriate safeguards, individual rights, and the adoption or enforcement of legislative frameworks that provide appropriate protection, among other things. Specifically, the agreement suggests that Member States should work to develop data governance strategies that ensure the continual evaluation of the quality of training data for AI systems, including the adequacy of the data collection and selection processes, as well as proper security and data protection measures.

Generally, the agreement recommends that Member States apply the provisions by taking appropriate steps, including whatever legislative or other measures may be required, in conformity with the constitutional practice and governing structures of each State, to give effect, within their jurisdictions, to the principles and norms in conformity with international law, as well as constitutional practices.

You can read the press release here and the agreement here.