Harnessing AI Responsibly: AI Tools Radar for the Public Sector, Media, and Judiciary

Bridging gaps: The need for an AI Tools Radar

Despite growing interest in AI and its transformative potential, many institutions still lack the guidance, access, and resources needed to use these technologies effectively. UNESCO's global assessments have highlighted significant capacity gaps across the public sector, media, and judiciary. For example, a 2022 survey in Africa found that while most countries see AI as crucial for economic growth, the majority report major human resource gaps, particularly in addressing ethical and human rights issues.

In the media sector, World Press Freedom Day 2025 emphasized both the opportunities and risks of AI for media. Yet, the effective and ethical use of AI by the media remains limited. A 2024 UNESCO survey with over 60 media institutions revealed that only 27.5% of the respondents use AI tools for disaster or environmental reporting, with strong interest from 65.5% who lack clarity on which tools to adopt and how to use them effectively.

Similarly, in the judiciary, judges are experimenting with general-purpose AI chatbots for legal tasks, but there are concerns about ethical and human rights implications. Judicial operators have called for clearer guidance on the responsible use of AI tools. These findings underscore the urgent need for a practical, centralized, and open resource to support effective and ethical AI adoption across these sectors.

A platform designed for real practical needs

The AI Tools Radar was developed by IRCAI , a UNESCO Category 2 Centre and a leading research centre in the field of AI. With over 200curated tools sourced from reputable organizations and leading experts as of September 2025, the platform emphasizes key principles in AI development and deployment, notably accessibility, openness, and transparency. The Radar is now available in English, French and Spanish.