United Nations System White Paper on AI Governance

The world is undergoing a fundamental technological shift in the age of rapid digitalization and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. AI holds significant potential to be harnessed to support inclusivity, reduce inequalities, rescue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and bolster the operations of the United Nations (UN) system. However, harnessing the positive impacts of AI requires careful attention to ethical considerations, including safeguarding data privacy, mitigating biases, and ensuring transparent decision-making processes. It is therefore important to make the most of AI's opportunities while addressing risks and harms. 

Against this background, the United Nations System White Paper on AI Governance was developed in follow-up to the Joint Session of the High-level Committee on Programmes (HLCP) and the High-level Committee on Management (HLCM) on the use and governance of AI and related technologies in October 2023. 

Prepared by the Inter-Agency Working Group on Artificial Intelligence, under the leadership of UNESCO and ITU, the White Paper analyses the UN system's institutional models, functions, and existing international normative frameworks applicable to global AI governance. The paper is offered as a UN system-wide contribution to relevant deliberations on the governance of AI, including the work of the Secretary-General's High-level Advisory Body on AI. The paper has been approved by HLCP at its 47th session and was subsequently endorsed by CEB.

Additional information on HLCP's work on AI can be found on the Artificial Intelligence topics page.