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.