UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

10/25/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/25/2024 11:31

Skills, a priority for building ethical AI according to UNESCO Business Council companies

This event, co-organized with CAF and AGESIC, brought together private sector leaders to discuss their role in the development of AI in the region and explore how they can contribute to closing skills gaps as an enabling factor for the responsible advancement of technology.

The panel included the participation of experts from the private sector:

  • William Bartholomew, Director of Public Policy, Office of Responsible AI, Microsoft.

  • Leticia Lago, Director of Public Affairs and Wholesale Services, Telefónica Uruguay

  • Alejandro Anderlic, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Latin America, Salesforce

  • Alejandro Adamowicz, Director of Technology and Strategic Engagement for LATAM, GSMA

  • Jimena Luna, Global Head of AI Policy, Lenovo

During the panel, the need to develop capacities and skills in the region so that Latin America and the Caribbean can lead the adoption of AI in an ethical and responsible manner at a global level was highlighted.

To this end, it was proposed to make a call to action to governments, technology companies, their ecosystems and value chains, as well as companies from other sectors interested in the development of the digital economy and the fabric of small and medium-sized enterprises. The objective is to jointly (i) disseminate the training and employability opportunities offered by the digital economy from the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the development of Artificial Intelligence, (ii) promote the training of citizens in the skills required for employment in the current context, through the use of the training and knowledge tools available to them, and support those who are trained through tutoring and mentoring, and (iii) collaborate so that, once trained and, where appropriate, certified, these citizens can be reinserted or integrated into the labor market, connecting them with effective job opportunities.

UNESCO

We are excited by the commitment of the private sector, which evidences the importance of the Business Council in driving the implementation of UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence with concrete actions

Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO

Angel Melguizo, senior advisor to UNESCO's Social and Human Sciences Sector on digital economy, underlined the importance of the Latin American digital ecosystem, identifying five key hubs in the region that are in the top 10% worldwide: Sao Paulo in fintech, Mexico City in commerce, Bogota in mobility, Santiago de Chile in insurance, and Buenos Aires in agribusiness. These hubs combine human talent, connectivity, and links with universities and diversity, which gives them great potential for technological innovation. However, he noted that 70% of companies in the region still face a significant skills gap, which must be urgently addressed to make the most of these opportunities.

Business Council members called for action to establish a coordinated initiative around skills development to support ongoing efforts in the region. In addition, they offered a number of open tools that companies already have available to the ecosystem to drive AI training:

Finally, the panel highlighted the value of the 18 RAM (Readiness Assessments for AI) assessments underway in Latin America and the Caribbean to drive key recommendations to address skills gaps and promote collaborative actions between the public and private sector. These assessments will identify concrete actions needed to ensure that the region is prepared to lead in the development and responsible use of artificial intelligence.