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Two IDRC-supported AI projects recognized at global competition

 
A group of researchers stands in front of an audience.
Krystal Kenney
These researchers’ projects were selected for the Paris Peace Forum’s Scale-up program.

Two projects supported by IDRC were among a select few to receive special recognition at the recent 2022 Paris Peace Forum, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. 

Since 2018, the Paris Peace Forum has convened states, international organizations, businesses, development banks, foundations and NGOs from around the world on an annual basis to turn solutions into concrete actions. 

The Global Index on Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Empatía were selected to be part of the Paris Peace Forum’s Scale-up program. They will receive year-long customized, non-financial support in 2023.  

Empatía is a collaboration between La Iniciativa Latinoamericana por los Datos Abiertos (ILDA) in Uruguay and Centro Latam Digital in Mexico, with support from IDRC and the Inter-American Bank. With half a dozen research projects across Latin America, Empatía collectively aims to build understanding and develop new knowledge about the use of AI to solve public problems.   

Launched in 2021, the Global Index on Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a new project by the Data for Development Network (D4D.net), led by the South African based think tank Research ICT Africa. The index will measure progress toward the responsible use and development of AI in more than 120 countries worldwide  from a distinctly human rights-based perspective.  

Although there have been significant advances on principles to guide the ethical use of AI, including the OECD Principles on AI Ethics and, more recently, the UNESCO Recommendation on Ethics in AI, new approaches are needed to advance the implementation of these principles within both the public and private sectors. 

Rachel Adams, Research ICT’s principal researcher, presented the Global Index at a roundtable discussion at November’s Paris Peace Forum. “We are honoured that the Global Index on Responsible AI has been selected to participate in the Scale Up Program of the Paris Peace Forum (PPF),and we look forward to working with the PPF Committee and network to advance the impact of the Global Index project in supporting the move from principles to practice in rights-respecting AI use and development the world over”, Adams said.  The first index is expected to be released in 2023. 

This year’s Paris Peace Forum participants included Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic; Nadia Murad, 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Youssou N’Dour, musician and former Minister of Culture and Tourism of Senegal; Audrey Azoulay, director general of UNESCO; and Brad Smith, president of Microsoft.