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Embracing Ethical AI and Digital Literacy: UNESCO Urges Global Action for a Culture of Peace in the Digital Era
On 31 August 2023, the General Assembly held the annual UN High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace under the theme “Promoting Culture of Peace in the Digital Era." In the midst of the rapidly evolving digital terrain, this year’s High-Level Forum, with its discussion surrounding the Global Digital Compact for the Summit of the Future , provides a platform for Member States and stakeholders to deliberate on the implications of digital transformation and explore strategies to leverage digital tools for the promotion of peace.
H.E. Mr. Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly convened the Forum’s inaugural session. He highlighted the importance of fostering an inclusive digital environment that encourages respect and tolerance. This entails tackling online hate speech and discrimination while addressing the risk of weaponizing emerging technologies. The President underscored that success in fostering a culture of peace in the digital era hinges on robust multilateral collaboration.
Mr. Eliot Minchenberg, Director of Office and UNESCO Representative to the United Nations in New York, emphasized the critical role of education and digital technologies in building lasting peace. Noting that opportunities for learning in the digital age coexist with significant risks of misinformation and hate speech, he stressed the need to equip students with a foundation to grasp the uses and potentials of digital technologies, while mitigate the harmful aspects they may entail. He highlighted that UNESCO has taken forward the revision of the 1974 Recommendation concerning Education for international understanding, cooperation and peace and education relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms—the only international instrument that articulates education's role in building peace and that underscores the capacities required in the digital age.
Noting that unchecked proliferation of AI systems carries undeniable risks, Mr. Minchenberg underscored the need to ensure proper regulation and guidance of these advancements. In this regard, UNESCO is leading the efforts to promote global ethical standards for new technologies. After a rigorous two-year extensive global consultation process, the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence was adopted by 193 UNESCO Member States in 2021. This comprehensive international instrument provides actionable guidance across 11 policy areas to ensure ethical integration of AI into societies, aligning with shared human values and principles.
The opening segment also featured the remarks delivered by Mr. Guy Ryder, UN Under-Secretary-General for Policy, who acknowledged the transformative potential of digital innovation and emphasized the need to address its associated challenges and risks. He outlined key measures to nurture a culture of peace in the digital age, encompassing inter alia digital literacy promotion, countering hate speech and ethical use of artificial intelligence. Referring to the rising prominence of AI and automation, and spotlighting the developments of the High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence and United Nations Code of Conduct for Information Integrity on Digital Platforms that are currently underway, Mr. Ryder urged the ethical and constructive development and deployment of AI technologies, building upon efforts undertaken within the UN system, including by UNESCO and the ITU.
Engaging in a fruitful dialogue on peacebuilding and conflict prevention, Member States emphasized the transformative nature of education in fostering social cohesion in the digital era. They stressed the need to guarantee equal access to education, particularly for vulnerable groups. Recognizing the specific hurdles faced by women and girls online, Member States also called for efforts to bridge the gender digital divide, including by creating an accessible and safe digital platform for all. Additionally, the positive contribution of youth in preventing violent extremism and the need to empower youth to be the agent of the peace in the digital era were echoed throughout the discussion.
Click here to watch the recording of the event.
UNESCO is the main custodian of the culture of peace within the UN system. In 1992, UNESCO’s Executive Board first requested a specific programme for a Culture of Peace as a contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping efforts. The Organization has been one of lead for the Declaration and Program of Action on Culture of Peace, incorporating key elements from the fields of education, culture, natural and social sciences and communication through all its programs.
