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AI Capacity Building in Over 30 Countries: Fostering Innovation in the Public Sector by UNESCO

Explore UNESCO's Global AI Training, empowering administrative officials from 31 nations to adopt ethical AI in public sectors. Delve into the curriculum, worldwide influence, and forthcoming objectives.

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Educate yourself on UNESCO's Global AI Training, a program empowering government officials from 31...
Educate yourself on UNESCO's Global AI Training, a program empowering government officials from 31 nations to employ ethical AI in their public services. Gain insights into the course layout, global influence, and upcoming objectives.

AI Capacity Building in Over 30 Countries: Fostering Innovation in the Public Sector by UNESCO

It's high time governments worldwide embrace digital transformation in governance, but many struggle due to insufficient digital skills, outdated infrastructure, and fragmented legal frameworks. This digital divide hampers their ability to deliver responsive, transparent, and efficient services. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a transformative potential – from streamlining administrative processes to improving service delivery and engaging citizens more directly – but without ethical oversight, it can deepen inequality, infringe on privacy, or exacerbate bias. That's where UNESCO steps in.

In a groundbreaking move, UNESCO launched the Global AI Training for the Public Sector, a six-week international training course completed in 2025. This comprehensive program equipped government officials from 31 countries with the knowledge and strategies needed to harness AI's potential in transforming public services.

At the heart of this program were a structured, multidisciplinary curriculum and expert faculty from around the world. Spanning six modules, the curriculum covered everything from AI fundamentals and public service design to AI governance and hands-on project practice. Participants benefited from sessions led by international experts, including Dr. Miriam Stankovich, Dr. Ilaria Mariani, Dr. Helen Titilola Olojede, and Soizic Pénicaud, who ensured a multidimensional perspective on AI adoption.

Diversity was key to this program's success, with civil servants from ministries, parliaments, and regulatory agencies across diverse geographic regions participating. The emphasis on gender inclusion was visible, with 55% of participants being women. This inclusivity is crucial to UNESCO's mission, aligning with its Global Priority Africa policy and the African Union's Continental AI Strategy.

The result? Armed with new tools, frameworks, and confidence, participants emerged with actionable knowledge and tailored strategies to initiate change within their respective institutions. Many reported that the program had transformed their understanding of AI's role in governance.

This initiative builds upon the success of the AI4Gov Master Programme, originally funded by the European Union and hosted by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Politecnico di Milano. UNESCO's Global AI Training expands this approach with a broader, more inclusive global mandate, supported through the EU's Global Gateway Initiative.

UNESCO's efforts are part of its larger strategic vision – the Programme on AI for the Public Sector, launched in 2021. This program supports governments globally in adopting AI in a manner that is transparent, efficient, rights-based, and inclusive. With initiatives like a Global MOOC on Digital Transformation and AI, a Repository of AI Tools for the Public Sector, and country-level and regional trainings in 2025, UNESCO aims to provide scalable, multilingual support for civil servants, empowering them to champion AI for the public good.

By integrating AI into governance structures responsibly, governments can enhance administrative efficiency, promote transparency, expand civic engagement, and ensure equitable access to services. Most importantly, UNESCO's model prioritizes human dignity and social inclusion, ensuring that AI becomes a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion.

With its Global AI Training for the Public Sector, UNESCO is making a significant contribution to shaping ethical AI governance. As alumni return to their home countries equipped with new knowledge and networks, the ripple effect of this initiative will be felt across ministries, municipalities, and parliaments worldwide. By fostering a responsible and inclusive approach to AI, UNESCO continues to lead global efforts in democratizing AI, building resilient institutions, and ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.

Stay tuned for future training opportunities and updates by visiting UNESCO's official portal or signing up for their AI governance newsletter.

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  1. The Global AI Training for the Public Sector, launched by UNESCO in 2021, is a significant step towards equipping government officials worldwide with knowledge and strategies to harness artificial intelligence (AI) for transforming public services.
  2. The six-week international training course, completed in 2025, offers a comprehensive program spanning AI fundamentals, public service design, AI governance, and hands-on project practice, thereby facilitating the integration of AI into education-and-self-development and online-education platforms.
  3. Embracing this transformative potential, governments can leverage AI to streamline administrative processes, improve service delivery, and engage citizens more directly while ensuring ethical oversight to avoid deepening inequality, infringing on privacy, or exacerbating bias.

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