UNESCO wants to assist Bangladesh in ethical AI development

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to dominate the spotlight, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is supporting nations in creating ethical guidelines for the technology.

In a blog post, the UN agency expressed interest in helping Bangladesh iron out its AI rulebook to guide the activities of service providers and users. Rather than adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, UNESCO said it would proceed cautiously by using a Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) to evaluate the preparedness of individual nations.

The method, which combines quantitative and qualitative metrics, has recorded impressive success in Chile and the Netherlands, with UNESCO hoping for similar results in Bangladesh.

“It provides detailed insights into institutional and regulatory gaps, allowing UNESCO to tailor support for governments to address these gaps effectively,” read a statement.

UNESCO said it will explore Bangladesh’s peculiarities before unveiling its recommendations to policymakers. The UN agency will begin by providing an overview of the country’s legal and regulatory terrain for generative AI before expanding to the social and cultural dynamics.

Other areas of concern include Bangladesh’s present economic realities, the prospects of enhanced workplace productivity, and the downsides of job losses caused by AI models. With an eye on adoption, UNESCO’s strategy will see it gauge the educational standards and infrastructural capabilities of the South Asian country.

UNESCO’s attempt will see it collaborate with the Bangladeshi ICT Ministry and local civil society organization Aspire to Innovate (a2i) to achieve its goals. The UN agency said the cumulative sum of its efforts in Bangladesh is to align the local ecosystem with global best practices while providing a safe space for users of commercial AI models.

Bangladeshi residents are embracing generative AI and emerging technologies in droves, but analysts suggest that localized large language models (LLMs) and proper ethical guidelines hold the key to increased adoption metrics.

“The primary goal is to conduct the Readiness Assessment Methodology and develop a comprehensive report with data-driven insights and key recommendations, helping policymakers to make informed decisions on the ethical development, design, and deployment of AI technology,” read the UNESCO statement.

A streak of successes for UNESCO

Fresh from the highs of offering AI advisory services to the governments of Chile and the Netherlands, UNESCO has set its sights on a larger pool of countries. The agency said it will not be resting but will be offering training sessions for regulators involved in AI supervision.

UNESCO is particularly concerned with the deployment of AI models in schools, famously amplifying calls for stringent regulations in the educational sector. At the top of the list for UNESCO were age restrictions and data protection for students, but geopolitical issues may botch attempts to create uniform rules across the board.

“Generative AI can be a tremendous opportunity for human development, but it can also cause harm and prejudice,” said Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.

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