AI Hub Risk Assessment Framework for Social Protection

Accompanying Tools

Tool 1: Intrinsic Risk Assessment Worksheet (PDF) | Word version

Tool 2: CONTEXT Risk muLTIPLIER (pdf) | Word version

Tool 3: Context Risk Multiplier Diagnostic (.xlsx)

Tool 4: Go/No-Go Checklist {pdf} | Word version

Overview

The AI Hub Risk Assessment Framework for Social Protection provides a practical, rights-based approach to identifying, assessing, and managing the risks associated with the use of AI across social protection systems.

The framework is designed to help policymakers, social protection institutions, and practitioners move beyond broad principles and apply responsible AI approaches to real-world use cases. It supports decision-making at every stage of the AI lifecycle, from considering whether AI should be used in the first place to designing safeguards, monitoring impacts, and responding to emerging risks.

Why this publication matters:

AI can influence decisions that have a direct impact on people’s lives and access to social protection. Errors, bias, lack of transparency, inappropriate data use, or poorly designed automated processes can undermine people’s rights, exclude eligible beneficiaries, or weaken trust in public institutions.

At the same time, avoiding AI altogether is not always the answer. When appropriately designed and governed, AI can support social protection institutions to improve efficiency, identify patterns, strengthen service delivery, and respond to changing needs.

The challenge is therefore not simply to prevent risk, but to understand which risks matter, who may be affected, and what safeguards are needed to enable responsible use.

The Risk Assessment Framework provides a structured way to do this. It helps institutions make informed, context-specific decisions about whether, where, and how AI should be applied in social protection.

What you’ll find inside:

• A structured framework for assessing AI-related risks in social protection
• A rights-based approach that places people and their rights at the centre of risk assessment
• An analysis of key risks that can arise from the use of AI across social protection processes
• Guidance on identifying appropriate safeguards and mitigation measures
• Practical tools to support risk assessment and decision-making
• Considerations for governance, accountability, transparency, fairness, and human oversight
• Guidance that can be adapted to different institutional, legal, technological, and country contexts

Who is this publication for?

This publication is designed for:

• Policymakers
• Social protection practitioners
• Researchers
• AI developers and technology partners
• International organizations and development partners

Required citation:

DCI AI Hub for Social Protection, AI Hub Risk Assessment Framework for Social Protection, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, Germany, 2026.