NEW YORK – 22 September 2024
The United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC) and Humane Intelligence have joined forces to develop artificial intelligence (AI) governance tools and infrastructure for the efficient and responsible deployment of AI within the UN system. This partnership aims to create a structured approach for assessing the societal impact of AI models, establish a foundational AI governance framework, and promote sustainable AI solutions globally.
Real-time, hands-on assessment tools for measuring social impact are essential to ensure that AI models used within the UN system and other international organizations are safe, fair, and effective. These tools will help organizations better understand potential risks, model interpretability, discrimination, and mitigation strategies. As part of this effort, UNICC and Humane Intelligence will collaborate on developing a comprehensive AI Model Assessment Playbook, which will provide guidelines on AI governance, risk assessment, and model interpretability, with particular attention to how these issues affect AI use cases within the UN system.
The partnership also includes piloting other AI assessment tools and frameworks that serve as public goods, facilitating the widespread adoption of AI across the UN and its Member States. These pilots will involve open-source AI assessment tools, accessible datasets, and frameworks for evaluating effectiveness and inclusivity. By aligning these initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the developed tools will promote equitable access to AI technologies, ensuring that their benefits reach all segments of society.
Additionally, this initiative seeks to devise a model to make both the digital and physical infrastructure required for AI deployment available to strengthen Digital Public Infrastructure. This includes hosting datasets, providing computing infrastructure, and offering cloud capabilities. Such an approach to DPI will enhance the ability of UNICC’s partner organizations to support Member States, particularly in developing countries, by incorporating AI into public services.
This collaboration underscores the critical role of partnerships in building a collaborative AI ecosystem. By fostering the sharing of ideas, resources, and best practices, these joint efforts will accelerate the development of AI solutions that are holistic, responsible, and inclusive.
The UNICC-Human Intelligence partnership forms part of UNICC’s broader efforts to establish an AI hub of resources for the UN and other international organizations, aligned with its new Strategic Framework for 2024–2030.
For more information, please contact:
At UNICC: [email protected]
At Humane Intelligence: [email protected]
About UNICC
The United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC) is the UN’s largest strategic partner providing common, trusted, and cybersecure digital foundations for the entire UN system. Through state-of-the-art ICT infrastructure, digital tools, cybersecurity services, and data and artificial intelligence solutions, UNICC promotes progress toward a more connected, secure, and sustainable UN.
About Humane Intelligence
Humane Intelligence is building the community of practice for algorithmic evaluations. We are a technology nonprofit creating the digital public infrastructure for accessible test and evaluation methods, including red-teaming and model evaluations. We focus on the socioetechnical impact of algorithmic systems with the intention of enabling all humans to have input into how and whether AI systems impact their lives.
