Global Index on Responsible AI

Measuring progress toward the responsible use of artificial intelligence in over 100 countries around the world from a human-rights based perspective

How do we measure the evolution of commitment and progress on the implementation of responsible AI principles and practice?

About the Global Index on Responsible AI

As the global demand for AI systems has exploded in recent years, so too have efforts to establish the principles, guidelines, and regulations needed to govern their development and use - It is critical that our starting point for all of these efforts be respect for international human rights, protection and promotion of democracy, and inclusion.

Meanwhile, countries are often struggling to keep pace with technological change and are looking to other jurisdictions for guidance and support. At the same time, a number of authoritarian states are misusing AI systems to undermine respect for human rights in direct contravention of established international norms.

AI4D

Principles have been developed to advance the responsible use of data on multiple fronts - universal access, safety and security, data for good, consent and transparency, freedom from hate and violence, and democratic values. But principles without follow up on implementation, evaluation, and accountability have no impact.

The Global Index on Responsible AI is a new initiative by the Data for Development Network (D4D.net), led by Research ICT Africa, together with regional and international partners, with support from the International Research Development Centre and AI4DAfrica. The Global Index will equip governments, civil society, and stakeholders to reflect on the efforts of countries to meet their human rights obligations and uphold principles for responsible use in the development and implementation of AI systems.

Objectives

Principles

Establish principles for Responsible AI

Assessment

Assess country conditions to support and promote responsible AI

Data Collection

Provide evidence to decision-makers to advance the responsible use of AI and promote digital inclusion

Implementation

Realize principles through implementation, evaluation and accountability

Approach

Inclusion and Participation

The Global Index will be co-created with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure its value on the ground, with a specific emphasis on including the inputs and perspectives of underserved and marginalised groups.

Accessibility and Openness

The Global Index and all data will be accessible to all stakeholders and researchers wishing to understand or re-use the data.

Fairly reflect local contexts and realities

The Global Index will fairly reflect local contexts and realities and measure a country’s level of responsible AI in relation to available resources.

Participatory Development of the Methodology

The Global Index is a multi-year undertaking involving stakeholders and partners from the Global South and Global North. It is based on an iterative, participatory process intended to promote the design, development, and use of AI in a manner that respects human rights, ethics, gender inclusivity and sustainability. Data collection for the project will be undertaken through primary and secondary collation processes - with key informant interviews from global and regional experts, government officials, human rights and gender activists and other targeted stakeholders. The design phase will include a series of consultative workshops/webinars focusing on the development of methodologies, indicators, and data collection instruments.

Expert Advisory Committee

The role of the Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) is to oversee the scientific accuracy and global relevance of the Global Index. Made up of a diverse group of international experts on artificial intelligence, the EAC will play a key oversight role with respect to the inclusivity of the methodology and design of the Global Index. The group will also work to ensure that the Global Index builds on and complements existing activities to advance ethical and responsible AI.

The Expert Advisory Committee will:

  • Advise on the scientific accuracy and relevance of the Global Index.
  • Advise on priority areas and topics to be covered by the Global Index.
  • Review the methodological framework and indicators of the Global Index.
  • Promote the complementarity of the Global Index with existing activities and standards on responsible and ethical AI.

Membership will advance gender equality at all times and include both regional representation from across the Global South and Global North, as well as the participation of global organizations.

Expert Advisory Committee Members

Rachel Adams

Chair, Expert Advisory Committee

Research ICT Africa

Urvashi Aneja

Director and Founder

Digital Futures Lab, India

Ashley Casovan

Executive Director

Responsible AI Institute

Huguette Diakabana

Digital Health Advisor and Co-founder

African Alliance of Digital Health Networks

Kanta Dihal

Senior Research Fellow & Principal Investigator

Global AI Narratives | Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, University of Cambridge

Teki Akuetteh

Founder and Executive Director

Africa Digital Rights’ Hub

Dafna Feinholz

Chief of Bioethics and Ethics of Science and Technology

UNESCO

Helani Galpaya

Executive Director

LIRNEasia

Alison Gillwald

Executive Director

Research ICT Africa

Lacina Kone

Director General of Smart Africa

Smart Africa

Sriganesh Lokanathan

Data Innovation & Policy Lead

UN Global Pulse

Karine Perset

Head of Unit

Artificial Intelligence Policy Observatory - OECD

Jacques Rajotte

Interim Executive Director

International Centre of Expertise in Montreal on AI (CEIMIA)

Paula Ricaurte

Profesora Investigadora Asociada, Tecnológico de Monterrey

Feminist AI Network

Nagla Rizk

Professor of Economics & Founding Director

Access to Knowledge for Development Center - American University in Cairo

Ed Teather

Director of AI Initiatives

Global Partnership on AI

Stephen Walker

Director

Data for Development Research Hub (D4D.net)

Project Timeline

    2021

    Designing the Index

    Defining responsible AI principles & indicators

    Participatory and inclusive design of a Responsible AI Index. An Expert Advisory Group has been established to oversee the scientific accuracy and global relevance of the Index.

    2022

    Generating the Index

    How is AI being implemented and used?

    In-country research and data collection to generate the index. This phase will include development of a global report benchmarking responsible AI policy & practice.

    2023

    Using the Index

    Supporting responsible AI adoption

    Working with regional hubs, CSOs, and governments to engage with the index and report findings. We will also look to support capacity building and adoption of principles in target areas.

The Global Index on Responsible AI will be fully operational in 2022. More information coming soon!