Telstra has joined a select group of global organisations to advance the ethical development and application of AI.
Telstra is the first organisation in Australia, and the sixth globally, to join the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Business Council to accelerate the implementation of recommendations on the ethics of artificial intelligence.
The UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence proposes that AI technologies be governed by values that promote human rights, dignity and environmental sustainability, with an emphasis on transparency, accountability and adherence to the rule of law.
Telstra will work with other member organisations, including UNESCO, Microsoft and Salesforce, to help shape policy in key areas such as data governance and diversity. The business council will also work on developing ethical impact assessment tools and collaborative initiatives to ensure AI serves the public good.
Kim Crowe Andersen, Telstra's group executive for product and technology, says this is about turning recommendations into real action and tangible results.
“AI is a transformative technology that has the potential to benefit societies around the world, but it requires very careful and deliberate management,” Crow-Anderson said.
“We are proud to be the first Australian company to join the UNESCO Business Council and advance the increasingly important cause of ethical and responsible AI.
“In such a rapidly changing field, collaboration is essential. We all need to rely on and learn from each other to ensure that AI is developed and deployed in a way that respects human rights, diversity and dignity.”
“UNESCO and Telstra share a vision of a future in which AI is driven by ethical principles that prioritise human welfare. This collaboration marks an important step towards making that future a reality.”
“We are pleased that Telstra has joined us in implementing UNESCO's recommendations. UNESCO is leading a global effort to build an ethical, responsible and inclusive AI framework around the world, working with 50 governments, the G7, G20 and other international initiatives, especially the world's leading companies. Telstra's addition to UNESCO's Business Council will enhance our speed, depth and reach,” said Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Humanities.
This new partnership builds on Telstra's strong history of leadership in responsible AI both domestically and internationally, including working with the Australian Government to pilot and test Australia's AI Ethics Principles and co-writing the Responsible AI Playbook with the GSMA.
Telstra operates and continually refines a responsible AI policy across its business that combines policy, education, advice and specific risk management controls to ensure it deploys AI responsibly for the benefit of its customers and employees.
