The “National Stakeholder Workshop on Ethics of AI” gathers government officials to discuss integrating ethical considerations into AI strategies, ensuring alignment with public welfare and international standards. This initiative supports India's efforts to create robust AI frameworks for ethical development and use in key sectors, promoting sustainable and equitable AI adoption nationwide.

AI has the potential to significantly contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, this potential is accompanied by ethical and practical risks, which can be magnified if AI is deployed without proper ethical frameworks. To address this, UNESCO aims to support the Indian government in evaluating and enhancing the resilience of existing AI laws, policies, and institutions. This effort will ensure that AI implementation in India aligns with the values and principles outlined in the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.

UNESCO and the Indian government will conduct a comprehensive needs assessment using the AI readiness assessment methodology (RAM). This assessment will guide the co-design of strategic AI frameworks and establish the regulatory and institutional basis for AI's ethical development and use in key policy areas such as education, environment, labour, and gender equality.

The National Stakeholder Workshop on the Ethics of AI is a key event in this initiative. It aims to unite government officials from both Union and State levels to engage in a thorough dialogue on AI technologies' ethical implications and societal impacts. The workshop will serve as a platform for critical discussions, integrating ethical considerations into national and state-level AI strategies and programs. This approach ensures that AI deployment aligns with public welfare and adheres to international norms and standards.

The workshop seeks to lay a foundation for informed policy development by fostering a collective understanding and preparation for AI's challenges and opportunities. It will promote equitable and sustainable AI adoption across India, ensuring that AI technologies are used in ways that benefit society.

Objectives

The National Stakeholder Workshop on the Ethics of AI aims to:

1. Convene a multi-sectoral stakeholder group and discuss the nation’s current AI landscape;

2. Raise awareness of the ethical implications and societal impacts of AI technologies;

3. Introduce international frameworks, guidelines, and best practices for AI.

Participants

The national government engages stakeholders, including ministries, NITI Aayog, business partners like NASSCOM, and state-level government officials from 28 states and eight union territories in India, to collaborate on AI initiatives. Participation will be limited to one senior-level official from each Ministry, 28 states, and 8 Union territories. 

Image source: unesco