Responsible, ethical use of AI
Artificial Intelligence is gaining relevance globally and could become a pivotal building block in the digital transformation of social protection systems. It offers new opportunities to innovate and build more inclusive and efficient social protection systems for safeguarding vulnerable populations against a backdrop of rising crises. However, it requires careful planning, high-quality data, and strong oversight to prevent unintended consequences that could undermine human rights and equality.
The AI Hub contributes to DCI’s mission of digital transformation in social protection by supporting responsible, innovative and sovereign AI adoption for more efficient and inclusive social protection systems.
With the rapid advancements in AI, countries are struggling to navigate the challenges. A lack of robust governance frameworks and technical expertise can undermine the responsible and human-centric implementation of future-fit social protection systems. To be able to reap the benefits of AI, uphold human rights and enhance services for all, those implementing social protection systems need to be equipped with the necessary skills and safeguards.
The AI Hub for social protection
The AI Hub assists social protection institutions in developing capacities to govern, design, and implement AI, enabling them to navigate benefits and risks responsibly, innovatively, and uphold digital sovereignty – the three principles adopted by the AI Hub to guide the use of AI in enhancing social protection systems.
Responsible
Safeguarding and strengthening human rights by leveraging responsible and ethical AI approaches and concepts for social protection.
Innovative
Creating a space for innovation and working with social protection actors across sectors and disciplines to seize AI benefits.
Sovereign
Promoting the digital sovereignty of partner countries to ensure that social protection institutions remain in control of how they use AI – on their own political and technical terms.
How we work
The AI Hub aims to enable the responsible use of AI for social protection, serving social and environmental wellbeing.
Drawing on a network of global experts, the Hub contributes to the DCI’s four action areas:
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- Creating and sharing knowledge on the responsible adoption of AI solutions
- Developing AI-driven Digital Public Goods (DPGs) as well as standards and guidelines
- Providing advisory services to countries in the areas of AI policy, strategy, governance, and the technical development of AI models
- Building skills and capacities in social protection institutions around responsible AI adoption for both policymakers and technical experts
Country support: advisory services
The AI Hub provides targeted and time-bound technical assistance to strengthen institutional capacities and to facilitate technology access for more inclusive, equitable and efficient social protection systems that reflect different cultural contexts and policy objectives.
Engagements begin with a needs assessment and use-case scoping, followed by joint design of solutions and prototyping. Global AI experts offer policy guidance on responsible AI and data usage and help countries to develop governance and regulatory frameworks that ensure rights-based, non-discriminatory AI adoption.
Advisory services include:
- Needs assessment and scoping of AI use cases
- AI strategy development
- Governance and regulation systems
- Anti-discrimination, gender & ethics
- AI model development
- Evaluation and testing of algorithms (e.g. performance, fairness and bias)
- Data management and governance
- Technology and infrastructure
Learn more about our advisory services.
Governance and partners
The AI Hub for Social Protection is a joint effort of GIZ and partners under the umbrella of the DCI. Starting this endeavour with currently six core implementing partners, we are seeking to expand this network. Interested in becoming a partner? Please contact us at contact@spdci.org.
The AI Hub is implemented by:
Top photo © GIZ / Florian Kopp
