Record STMT-W95E128Voluntary

Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

Recommendation International lawGlobaladopted

The Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted by UNESCO in November 2021, establishes a universal normative framework to guide the ethical development and deployment of artificial intelligence systems. It sets out foundational values centered on human rights, human dignity, environmental flourishing, diversity, and peaceful societies. Furthermore, it outlines specific principles such as proportionality, safety, fairness, transparency, and human oversight, accompanied by concrete policy actions across multiple domains.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

UNESCOIntergovernmental

Lead issuer

Legal forceVoluntary

Under whose authorityInternational law

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

National governmentGeneral publicState or provincial governmentPublic sector bodiesCompaniesAI developers and providersAI deployers and usersResearchers and academics

This document is primarily for Member States, policymakers, AI actors, researchers, and public and private sector organizations seeking ethical guidance for AI development and governance.

Sectors

Cross-sector

What the document contains

What's covered

The document covers comprehensive ethical guidance for artificial intelligence across its entire lifecycle, addressing issues such as human rights, data protection, environmental impacts, gender equality, cultural diversity, education, labour markets, health, and governance frameworks.

What's missing

It does not provide a single permanent definition of artificial intelligence, nor does it establish binding international enforcement mechanisms or criminal penalties, relying instead on voluntary state adoption and multi-stakeholder implementation.

Key takeaways

The Recommendation provides a global standard-setting framework grounded in international law to ensure AI systems work for the good of humanity and the environment.
It establishes core values centered on human dignity, human rights, environmental flourishing, diversity, and peaceful societies.
Key principles include proportionality, safety and security, fairness and non-discrimination, privacy, human oversight, transparency, and accountability.
It details concrete policy actions covering ethical impact assessment, data policy, governance, international cooperation, education, economy, labor, and health.
Member States are encouraged to apply the provisions voluntarily through appropriate legislative, regulatory, and administrative measures adapted to their constitutional practices.

Principles it states

Respect, protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms and human dignityEnvironment and ecosystem flourishingEnsuring diversity and inclusivenessLiving in peaceful, just and interconnected societiesProportionality and Do No HarmSafety and securityFairness and non-discriminationSustainabilityRight to Privacy, and Data ProtectionHuman oversight and determinationTransparency and explainabilityResponsibility and accountabilityAwareness and literacyMulti-stakeholder and adaptive governance and collaboration

Outline

· PREAMBLE
· I. SCOPE OF APPLICATION
· II. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
· III. VALUES AND PRINCIPLES
· IV. AREAS OF POLICY ACTION
· V. MONITORING AND EVALUATION
· VI. UTILIZATION AND EXPLOITATION OF THE PRESENT RECOMMENDATION
· VII. PROMOTION OF THE PRESENT RECOMMENDATION
· VIII. FINAL PROVISIONS

Issued23 November 2021

Length14,530 words

FormatNot recorded

Scopeglobal

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

4/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

The ethical responsibility and liability for the decisions and actions based in any way on an AI system should always ultimately be attributable to AI actors corresponding to their role in the life cycle of the AI system.

III.2 PRINCIPLES

screening score · 2026-10-23

Fairness

4/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

AI actors should promote social justice and safeguard fairness and non-discrimination of any kind in compliance with international law.

III.2 PRINCIPLES

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Dignity

4/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

Therefore, respect, protection and promotion of human dignity and rights as established by international law, including international human rights law, is essential throughout the life cycle of AI systems.

III.1 VALUES

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Oversight

4/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

In scenarios where decisions are understood to have an impact that is irreversible or difficult to reverse or may involve life and death decisions, final human determination should apply.

III.2 PRINCIPLES

screening score · 2026-10-23

Privacy

4/5

Protection of personal data and private life

Privacy, a right essential to the protection of human dignity, human autonomy and human agency, must be respected, protected and promoted throughout the life cycle of AI systems.

III.2 PRINCIPLES

screening score · 2026-10-23

Transparency

4/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

Member States should set clear requirements for AI system transparency and explainability so as to help ensure the trustworthiness of the full AI system life cycle.

POLICY AREA 2: ETHICAL GOVERNANCE AND STEWARDSHIP

screening score · 2026-10-23

Enforcement

3/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

Member States should ensure that harms caused through AI systems are investigated and redressed, by enacting strong enforcement mechanisms and remedial actions

POLICY AREA 2: ETHICAL GOVERNANCE AND STEWARDSHIP

screening score · 2026-10-23

Impact Assessment

4/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

Member States should introduce frameworks for impact assessments, such as ethical impact assessment, to identify and assess benefits, concerns and risks of AI systems

POLICY AREA 1: ETHICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

screening score · 2026-10-23

Topics

artificial_intelligence ethics human_rights governance transparency international_cooperation