On November 25, 2021, UNESCO member states adopted a first draft of a Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (Recommendation) which “defines the common values and principles needed to ensure the healthy development of AI.” According to a UN press release, the Recommendation’s aim is to ensure the ethical development of artificial intelligence by “addressing issues around transparency, accountability, and privacy.”

The Recommendation states that “all actors in the AI system life cycle” should respect, protect, and promote human rights; recognize and promote environment and ecosystem flourishing; ensure diversity, inclusiveness, safety, security, and sustainability; establish data protection frameworks and governance mechanisms; and increase the “transparency and explainability” of AI systems. The Recommendation suggests that member states should conduct ethical impact assessments; ensure ethical governance; put in place a data policy that ensures proper security and data protection measures; cooperate internationally to use AI in areas of development such as education, environment, and economic planning; assess the environmental impact of AI; ensure that AI contributes to gender equality; provide AI literacy education to the public; and “endeavour to employ effective AI systems for improving human health and protecting the right to life.”