Telstra joins the UNESCO Business Council for Ethics of AI

Telstra has joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s Business Council to promote and advance the ethical development and application of AI as set out by the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. 

The telco giant is the first Australian organisation and the sixth globally to join the UNESCO Business Council for Ethics of AI. Other members include Microsoft, Salesforce and Telefonica.

The UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence is the first global framework of standards on AI ethics, which advocates for AI technologies to be governed by values that promote human rights, dignity and environmental sustainability. The standards also emphasise that when AI is developed ethically there should be transparency, accountability and adherence to the rule of law.

When it was introduced in November 2021, it was adopted by 193 UNESCO member states.

“AI is a transformative technology that has the potential to benefit societies globally – but it requires very careful and deliberate stewardship,” Telstra Product and Technology Group Executive Kim Krogh Anderson said.

“We’re proud to be the first Australian company to join the UNESCO Business Council and champion the increasingly critical cause of ethical and responsible AI.

“In such a fast-moving space, collaboration is a non-negotiable. We all need to lean on and learn from each other, to ensure AI is developed and deployed in a way that respects human rights, diversity and dignity.”

In joining the council, Telstra said it would support policy development in areas such as data governance and diversity. It will also work with other council members to develop an ethical impact assessment tool, as well as be involved in joint initiatives to ensure “AI serves the public good”. 

“UNESCO is leading the international efforts to build ethical, responsible and inclusive AI frameworks worldwide, working with governments from 50 countries, G7, G20 and other international initiatives, and particularly with leading global companies. Having Telstra in our Business Council will foster our speed, depth and reach,” according to UNESCO Social and Human Sciences Assistant Director-General Gabriela Ramos.

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