The Recommendation on the Ethics of AI provides a framework to ensure that AI developments align with the promotion and protection of human rights and human dignity, environmental sustainability, fairness, inclusion and gender equality. It underscores that these goals and principles should inform technological developments in an ex-ante manner. To support effective implementation, UNESCO developed two instruments, the Readiness Assessment Methodology and the Ethical Impact Assessment.

The RAM is a macro level instrument that will help countries understand where they stand on the scale of preparedness to implement AI ethically and responsibly for all their citizens, in so doing highlighting what institutional and regulatory changes are needed. The outputs of the RAM will help UNESCO tailor the capacity building efforts to the needs of specific countries. Capacity here refers to the ability to assess AI systems in line with the Recommendation, the presence of requisite and appropriate human capital, and infrastructure, policies, and regulations to address the challenges brought about by AI technologies and ensure that people and their interests are always at the center of AI development.

The General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), meeting in Paris from 9 to 24 November 2021, at its 41st session, 

Recognizing the profound and dynamic positive and negative impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on societies, environment, ecosystems and human lives, including the human mind, in part because of the new ways in which its use influences human thinking, interaction and decision-making and affects education, human, social and natural sciences, culture, and communication and information,

Recalling that, by the terms of its Constitution, UNESCO seeks to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among nations through education, the sciences, culture, and communication and information, in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world,

Convinced that the Recommendation presented here, as a standard-setting instrument developed through a global approach, based on international law, focusing on human dignity and human rights, as well as gender equality, social and economic justice and development, physical and mental well-being, diversity, interconnectedness, inclusiveness, and environmental and ecosystem protection can guide AI technologies in a responsible direction,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,