AI FOR PEACE ETHICS
AI for Peace Ethics serves as a centralized hub for developing, collecting, and providing standards and decision-making tools to support ethical AI applications in peacebuilding.
The goal of this project is to explore existing AI ethics practices in past, current and future planned projects, discover gaps and offer solutions for ensuring “ethics by design” is a first step in planning these activities and not an afterthought. This project looks into the specific benefits that can be achieved through the “conflict sensitivity and do no harm” approach and their applications in the algo age.
PEACE ETHICS IN ALGO AGE
If we want to use AI to support peacebuilding, how can we make sure AI-driven approaches don’t come at the expense of ethics or lead to indirect or direct harm to the populations we are trying to help? What should AI for Peace Ethics look like?
At AI for Peace, we believe that any AI-driven work in our field must embed ethics by design with the same rigor it applies ethics to the peacebuilding work. However, this ethics is not a simple extension of existing ethical norms. It must recognize the nuances AI is bringing to peacebuilding work and “upgrade” its practices to the algo age.
This is why this project looks at the intersection of “conflict sensitivity" and "do no harm" approaches, traditionally used in the peacebuilding and humanitarian fields, and how they need to be adjusted to be functional and helpful in the algo age.
This project is creating a living knowledge base and a resource for anybody working in the AI for Peace field or intending to explore how data science and AI can potentially advance their mission.
This resource shares insights, methodologies, tools, and best practices for approaching data science and AI projects in the peacebuilding field with an ethics lens.
PEACE
Promoting positive peace through violent conflict prevention, cooperation, and building inclusive and resilient societies.
PEOPLE
Upholding human rights, protecting human dignity, and ensuring fairness, equity, and inclusivity to enhance the well-being of all individuals, especially those in vulnerable or conflict-affected communities.
PLANET
Committing to environmental sustainability and stewardship, recognizing the vital connection between a healthy planet and lasting peace.
ETHICAL
APPROACH
Our ethical approach is grounded in the following core values:
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
We are adopting the following AI principles as guidelines ensuring that AI is developed ethically and used for the benefit of society. They focus on do no harm, conflict sensitivity, transparency, accountability, fairness, and safety, aiming to protect privacy and prevent discrimination while promoting human well-being and trust.
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Do No Harm
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Conflict Sensitivity
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Transparency and Accountability
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Fairness and Non-Discrimination
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Safety and Security
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Sustainability
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Collaboration and Inclusion
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Human-Centric Design
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Continuous Learning
The AI Ethics Cards represent a core set of principles that AI for Peace is committed to upholding in the pursuit of responsible and ethical AI development.
Each card highlights a key ethical principle and is accompanied by a set of guiding questions designed to help developers, policymakers, and other stakeholders navigate complex ethical landscapes.
These questions encourage thoughtful reflection and practical application, ensuring that critical ethical considerations are addressed before the design, development, or deployment of AI systems.
Best practices in data and AI ethics
Data Protection Framework
Data Responsibility Guidelines
Data Protection Manual
Operational Guidance on Data Responsibility in Humanitarian Action
Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
Policy of Artificial Intelligence
Ethical Obligations for Humanitarian Information Activities
Framework for the Ethical Use of Advanced Data Science Methods in Humanitarian Sector
Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
Understand the context in which you operate;
Understand the interaction between your activities and that context;
Take steps to minimize the negative impacts of your operations;
Take steps to maximize the positive effects of your operations for peace.
CONFLICT SENSITIVITY
Do No Harm
AI systems must be designed, developed, and deployed with the utmost care to avoid causing harm. This includes identifying potential risks, mitigating unintended consequences, and ensuring that AI applications contribute positively to peace and human security.
Conflict Sensitivity
AI applications in peacebuilding and conflict prevention must align with humanitarian principles, avoiding unintended harm and supporting long-term stability and reconciliation. We adopt a conflict-sensitive approach to ensure that AI interventions respect local contexts and dynamics, preventing the exacerbation of tensions or inequalities.
“Ethics is not just being rational and affective. Our choices must also be effective… Acts are, therefore, the ultimate outcome of ethics. The practical field of humanitarian ethics is deliberately known as humanitarian action because of this basic moral insight that ethics without action is nonsensical.”
Hugo Slim
Humanitarian Ethics:
A Guide to the Morality of Aid in War and Disaster
AI ETHICS WORKSHOPS
Explore Our Workshop Offerings on AI Ethics and Application
At AI for Peace, we are committed to empowering organizations to navigate the complex landscape of AI ethics in the context of peacebuilding and humanitarian work.We offer three specialized workshops to meet diverse needs:
1. Introduction to AI Ethics
Gain a comprehensive overview of ethical principles and frameworks for AI in crisis and peacebuilding settings.
2. Case Study Exploration
Delve into a real-life AI project implemented in peacebuilding field, examining practical challenges and ethical considerations.
3. Ideation Workshop
Collaborate with our experts to identify and address the ethical questions and challenges specific to your project, ensuring a responsible and effective AI strategy.