Key DCO Initiative
Ethical AI
1. Overview & Objectives
Overview:
Recognizing AI’s transformative potential, and in line with its 2030 Strategic Roadmap and the Riyadh AI Call for Action (RAICA) Declaration of 2022, the DCO launched the Ethical AI Governance initiative in 2024. This initiative aims to enhance ethical considerations in AI governance across its Member States. Through this initiative, the DCO has produced the DCO Ethical AI Governance Toolbox (the Toolbox) which is designed to assist the DCO Member States governments, as well as the AI systems developers, and deployers in navigating the intricate and dynamic task of implementing an ethical and human rights-based approach to developing AI.
The Toolbox includes: the DCO Principles for Ethical AI (the Principles) a set of principles based on the best international practices to provide the Member States with a shared foundation for AI governance and covering areas such as accountability, privacy, and human autonomy and oversight; the DCO AI Ethics Evaluator (the Tool), a digital tool that supports governments, AI deployers, developers in assessing and mitigating AI-related ethical and human rights risks within the AI systems.
Development of the Principles and the Tool is supported by DCO’s body of research that include two reports—Rights by Design: Embedding Human Rights Principles in AI Systems” and “Responsible AI Governance: Global Lessons and International Best Practices for Member States”. The reports present thorough assessment on the global AI governance trends and developments as well as the Member State’s AI policy landscape, explore intersection of AI and human rights, and furnish actionable recommendations for the policymakers to ensure ethical and human rights-based AI governance across the DCO membership.
Key Objectives:
a) Position the DCO at the forefront of ethical AI development and governance advocacy.
This first objective focuses on solidifying the DCO’s position as a global leader in ethical AI governance. By developing the DCO Ethical AI Governance Toolbox (DCO Principles of Ethical AI, DCO AI Ethics Evaluator), the DCO aims to champion responsible AI development, addressing human rights and ethical risks in innovative and practical ways.
b) Provide Member States with a digital policy tool that can be used to assess the human rights and ethical risks associated with the development and adoption of AI.
To do so, the DCO AI Ethics Evaluator will contribute to addressing critical concerns like privacy, algorithmic bias, accountability, and sustainability. It will also help Member States, and the AI system developers and deployers align their practices with international human rights standards, fostering ethical innovation while protecting individuals and communities.
c) Instill alignment and interoperability of AI related regulations and policies amongst the Member States.
The DCO seeks to minimize fragmentation and enhance collaboration between nations, to create a cohesive regulatory environment where the DCO Principles for Ethical AI, such as fairness, transparency, and accountability, are uniformly upheld.
d) Facilitate inclusive and participatory discussions through regional and global dialogue to gather inputs and feedback towards building and scaling ethical AI tools.
This objective highlights the importance of engaging diverse stakeholders in shaping ethical AI governance, to provide Member States with opportunities to share insights, address challenges, and co-create solutions. This participatory approach ensures the voices of all stakeholders are heard, contributing to the development of tools and policies that are practical, context-sensitive, and socially equitable.
e) Provide different stakeholders with practical tools and knowledge to support responsible AI development.
The DCO is rolling-out a capacity-building program tailored to various stakeholders at different levels of expertise in ethical AI governance.
f) Conduct thorough research and analysis on AI governance frameworks both within Member States and internationally
To properly understand current challenges and solutions to ensure ethical AI implementation. This objective highlights the DCO’s goal of providing Member States with rigorous research and evidence-based insights, to address ethical challenges effectively and advance responsible AI adoption across Member States.
2. Brief Descriptions
a) DCO Principles for Ethical AI:
The DCO Principles for Ethical AI are a set of principles grounded in the best international practices. They provide the DCO Member States with a shared foundation for AI governance offering them clear policy guidance with a strong emphasis on human rights protection. The principles aim to ensure consistent ethical standards across the DCO ecosystem while allowing flexibility for localized implementation. They were officially adopted by the Member States at the DCO General Assembly earlier this year.
The principles include:
Accountability:
Ensuring accountability by establishing clear responsibilities for AI outcomes and guaranteeing reliable, transparent performance throughout the AI system’s lifecycle.
Transparency & Explainability:
Promoting transparency and explainability by clearly communicating the processes, decisions, and logic behind AI systems to stakeholders.
Fairness & Non-Discrimination:
Upholding fairness and non-discrimination by building AI systems that prevent bias and promote equitable outcomes for all.
Privacy:
Developing and deploying AI systems that proactively safeguard individuals’ privacy, encompassing not only data protection but also the broader aspects of personal autonomy, consent, and the right to control one’s own information.
Sustainability & Environmental Impact:
Developing and deploying AI systems with consideration for their environmental impact, ensuring that AI technologies contribute to sustainability by minimizing energy consumption, reducing carbon footprints, and promoting eco-friendly practices throughout their lifecycle.
Human-Centered Development & Social Benefit:
Developing and deploying AI systems with a strong focus on human well-being, ensuring they contribute positively to social progress and provide tangible benefits to individuals and communities.
Human Autonomy and Oversight:
Developing and deploying AI systems in a way that preserves human autonomy and ensures robust oversight, enabling individuals to make informed decisions and intervene in AI-driven processes when necessary.
Link to the Principles: V4 DCO AI Principles.pdf
b) DCO AI Ethics Evaluator (Tool): A comprehensive digital policy tool designed to help individuals and organizations systematically assess and address ethical considerations in their AI systems, with a particular focus on human rights risks. Grounded in the DCO Principles for Ethical AI, the tool categorizes risks into six core areas and provides a structured framework for risk assessment.
The tool’s primary feature is its risk assessment mechanism, where users—identified as developers or deployers—answer tailored questions assessing the severity and likelihood of potential risks across six categories. Based on their responses, the tool generates a visual risk profile, including radar charts that clearly highlight high-priority risk areas. It then delivers targeted recommendations for appropriate safeguards and controls, aligned with international human rights standards and scaled to the identified risk levels. A downloadable report is then provided to support integration into existing workflows.
The DCO AI Ethics Evaluator stands out for its dedicated focus on systematically embedding human rights protections into AI development and deployment. The Tool uniquely integrates a human rights-centered perspective across a wide range of AI use cases, ensuring that ethical AI governance is accessible, practical, and globally interoperable for DCO Member States and beyond.
c) DCO AI Ethics Evaluator (Guidance Document): This document serves as a user guide for the DCO AI Ethics Evaluator tool, outlining the rationale behind its development and offering a detailed overview of its components to support effective use through enhanced user experience.
d) Report 2 – Rights by Design: Embedding Human Rights Principles in AI Systems: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is central to the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) agenda, given its profound impact on current and future economic growth and innovation. As one of the most disruptive technologies of our time, its influence continues to expand across sectors and societies. Recognizing AI’s transformative potential, the DCO has prioritized responsible adoption through initiatives such as the Riyadh AI Call for Action Declaration (RAICA). This declaration serves as the DCO’s reference for the responsible development and deployment of AI.
Building on RAICA, and as part of its Ethical AI Governance initiative, the DCO has developed the report “Rights by Design: Embedding Human Rights Principles in AI Systems.” This report explores the intersection of AI and human rights, analyzing governance frameworks across DCO Member States and emphasizing the need for ethical and responsible AI deployment.
The report highlights the dual nature of AI—its ability to drive economic and social progress while posing risks to fundamental human rights if not properly governed. It differentiates between ethical AI, which considers moral and societal values, and responsible AI, which ensures compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
Given the diverse levels of AI readiness among the DCO Member States, the report outlines a multi-tiered governance approach. Key recommendations include strengthening data protection laws, embedding human rights safeguards in AI policies, promoting AI literacy, and fostering collaboration between governments, industry, and civil society. By adopting a rights-based approach, DCO Member States can balance innovation with accountability, ensuring AI serves as a force for inclusive and sustainable growth.
This report offers policymakers, and the broader AI stakeholders, valuable insights to shape a future where AI enhances human well-being and upholds fundamental human rights.
Link to the report: Rights by Design Embedding Human Rights Principles on AI systems.pdf
e) Report 1 – Responsible AI Governance: Global Lessons and International Best Practices for DCO Member States:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming economies and societies around the world, with widespread applications across sectors such as education, research, healthcare, and finance—enabled by tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney. Recognizing the growing importance of AI, the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) has developed the report “Responsible AI Governance: Global Lessons and International Best Practices for DCO Member States”. This report offers a comprehensive analysis of the AI landscape within DCO Member States, explores global best practices, and offers key recommendations for policymakers, industry leaders, and international cooperation actors.
The report presents two key findings. First, it outlines the two predominant global approaches to AI governance: a “soft governance approach” which favors an often voluntary, self-governance approach aimed at supporting AI investment and innovation, and a “prescriptive regulatory approach” that emphasizes more stringent enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with ethical standards. Second, it highlights the varying levels of AI readiness among the DCO Member States, which presents both opportunities and challenges for targeted interventions and collaboration.
Based on these findings, the report offers targeted recommendations for three main audiences: DCO Member State policymakers, industry stakeholders, and international cooperation actors. The recommendations aim to create a cohesive, innovative, and responsible AI ecosystem across the DCO Member States, positioning them as leaders in ethical AI development and governance.
Link to the report: AI Global Practices Report.pdf
f) Capacity Building Program:
This program is designed to provide learners from diverse backgrounds with a practical, in-depth understanding of the evolving AI landscape and its ethical implications, with a strong focus on the intersection of AI systems and human rights. It equips participants with the tools to identify and manage ethical risks, promote responsible AI governance, and apply the DCO Principles for Ethical AI in real-world contexts. To ensure engagement and real-world relevance, the program features real-life case studies, modular video content, visually rich materials, and interactive assessments.
