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
The Global Index on Responsible AI is a new Data for Development Network (D4D.net) initiative led by Research ICT Africa(Opens in a new tab) with support from the International Research Development Centre(Opens in a new tab) and AI4DAfrica(Opens in a new tab) together with regional and international partners.
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 use of AI that respects digital inclusion
Assessment
Assess country conditions to support and promote responsible AI
Data Collection
Provide evidence to decision-makers to advance the responsible use of AI that respects digital inclusion
Implementation
Realize principles through implementation, evaluation and accountability
Approach
Inclusion & Participation
The Global Index will be co-created with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure its broadest possible use with a specific emphasis on including the perspectives of underserved and marginalised groups.
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 and capacities.
Accessibility & Openness
The Global Index and all data will be accessible to all stakeholders and researchers wishing to understand or re-use the data
Development of the Methodology
The design and implementation of the Global Index will be iterative and participatory intended to promote the use of AI that respects human rights, inclusivity, and sustainability.
Get Involved
This design phase includes a series of consultative workshops/webinars focusing on the development of methodologies, indicators, and data collection instruments.
Upcoming Engagements
Team
Rachel Adams
Dr Rachel Adams is Principal Investigator of the Global Index on Responsible AI. She is principal researcher at Research ICT Africa, where she directs the AI4D Africa Just AI Project and the AI4D African Observatory on Responsible AI. Rachel is an Associate Fellow of the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at the University of Cambridge, Editor of the South African Journal on Human Rights, and a member of the UNESCO Expert Group on the Implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on AI in Ethics.
Teki Akuetteh
Teki is an ICT/Telecom Lawyer, a Privacy/Data Protection Consultant, and Senior Partner at a law firm based in Accra, Ghana. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Africa Digital Rights Hub, a member of the UN Global Pulse Privacy Advisory Group, and a non-resident fellow of the Center for Global Development. Teki holds an LLM in Information Technology and Telecommunications Law from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland and a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Political Science from the University of Ghana.
Urvashi Aneja
Urvashi is the founding director of Digital Futures Lab, a multidisciplinary research network based out of Goa, India, that examines the complex interactions between technology and society in the global south. She is also a Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai. Prior to this, she founded Tandem Research and was an Associate Professor at the OP Jindal Global University. Urvashi has a PhD in Politics and International Affairs from the University of Oxford.
Nicolás Grossman
Nicolás is a sociologist and journalist specialising in Data and GIS. In addition to writing widely, he founded Socios.red in 2018. He is concluding his Master’s studies in International Political Sociology at the National University of Tres de Febrero (UNTREF), where he focuses on the challenges and risks of big data and AI from the perspective of less developed countries.
Leonida Mutuku
Leo is a director and research lead at the Local Development Research Institute, a Nairobi-based think-tank whose work contributes to the efforts of African governments to end poverty, hunger, and reduce inequalities. She offers strategic advice and conducts research on how AI and data innovations can be harnessed to achieve sustainable development.
Nokuthula Olorunju
Nokuthula Olorunju is an attorney and researcher who holds an LLB and LLM with a focus on Cyberlaw/Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Law. She has written on issues of gender equality, human rights, AI, the judiciary, and is currently pursuing a PhD in the field of human rights and artificial intelligence.
Kelly Stone
Kelly is a Policy Development and Research Advisor based in Cape Town, South Africa. She holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology & Philosophy, and has been working to advance the social, political, and technical capacities of persons across the Global South since 2006.
Zara Schroeder
Zara has a wide background in supporting non-governmental organisations in South Africa with enhancing the visibility and impact of their work. Zara has a Masters in Public Sociology and Anthropology. Zara also has experience in Communications working at Sonke Gender Justice. During her time at Sonke, Zara was involved in the development of a campaign aimed at combatting gender-based violence. Her interests lie at the intersection of gender, equality, ethics and accessibility to AI.
Nawal Omar
Nawal Omar is a researcher with five years of experience handling a diverse set of research projects in different organisations. Nawal has experience working in social and public research, as well as in information systems and data management, strategic planning, policy analysis, ICT & digital inclusion. Nawal holds a Master's degree in Information Systems with a major in Business Intelligence, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, and an Honours degree from the School of Mathematics, University of Khartoum.
Roland Banya
Roland Banya is a Senior Economist at Research ICT Africa (RIA), working on projects that vary from the Fourth Industrial Revolution to Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence, Digital/Future of Work, Digital Identity, Cybersecurity and Open telecommunication data. Prior to joining RIA, Roland worked at Genesis Analytics as an Associate in the Financial Services Strategy practice. Before that Roland was employed at Cenfri as an Associate where he focussed on work around livelihoods in the digital economy. Roland attained a BSocsci in Economics and Public Administration and a MSc in Economic Development and International Finance from the University of Kent. He has also completed a PhD in Finance at the Graduate School of Business of UCT.
Expert Advisory Committee
The role of the Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) is to oversee the scientific accuracy and 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 design of the Global Index. The Expert Advisory Committee:
- Advises on the scientific accuracy and relevance of the Global Index.
- Advises on priority areas and topics to be covered by the Global Index.
- Reviews the methodology and indicators of the Global Index.
- Promotes the complementarity of the Global Index with existing activities and standards on responsible and ethical AI.
EAC Membership advances gender equality at all times and includes regional representation from across the Global South and Global North, as well as the participation of global organisations.
- The first meeting of the Expert Advisory Committee was held on the 23rd November 2021. Committee members discussed the importance of the Global Index in advancing enforceable rights-based governance of AI around the world.
- The second meeting of the Expert Advisory Committee will take place in February 2022
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
Sophie Fallaha
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!
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