ICTworks

A recent conference session on Responsible AI called for the creation of an ethical data use framework to guide international development practitioners as they adopted artificial intelligence solutions.

I am not sure we need more digital technology principles.

53 Responsible AI and Ethical Data Use Guides

A quick search found 53 published documents with guidance on the ethical and responsible use of AI, data, or digital technology in humanitarian contexts. Many of these initiatives are relatively recent, reflecting the growing awareness of data privacy and AI transparency.

1. AI for Good Foundation’s Ethics of AI in Humanitarian Action
2. CARE International Digital Safeguarding Policy
3. Cash Learning Partnership (CaLP) Data Responsibility Toolkit
4. Donor Principles for Human Rights in the Digital Age
5. DSEG Framework for the Ethical Use of Advanced Data Science
6. Engine Room’s Responsible Data Handbook
7. GAHI Principles for Ethical Humanitarian Innovation
8. GiveDirectly’s Responsible AI/ML Framework
9. Global Index on Responsible AI
10. GSMA Guidelines on Privacy in the Use of Mobile Phone Data
11. Harvard Humanitarian Initiative’s Signal Code
12. HOT Data Ethics Policy
13. Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) Data Responsibility Guidelines
14. Humanitarian DSEG Peer Review Framework
15. IASC Operational Guidance on Data Responsibility in Humanitarian Action
16. ICRC Handbook on Data Protection in Humanitarian Action
17. ICRC Rules on Personal Data Protection
18. IEEE Ethically Aligned Design
19. IFRC Data Playbook
20. IFRC Data Protection Policy
21. IOM Data Protection Manual
22. ISO/IEC 42001 standard on AI management
23. Making AI Work for International Development
24. Managing Machine Learning Projects in International Development
25. Mercy Corps Responsible Data Toolkit
26. New Humanitarian’s call for AI guardrails in humanitarian settings
27. NetHope Data Protection Starter Kit
28. OECD AI Principles
29. OCHA Information Management Toolbox
30. OCHA’s Data Responsibility Guidelines
31. Oxfam Responsible Data Management Training Pack
32. Oxfam Responsible Program Data Policy
33. Principles for Digital Development
34. Responsible Data for Children Principles
35. Save the Children’s Data Protection Policy
36. Signal Code: Ethical Obligations for Humanitarian Information Activities
37. Sphere Handbook
38. UN Global Pulse Privacy and Data Protection Principles
39. UN Global Pulse Risks, Harms and Benefits Assessment Tool
40. UN OCHA Centre for Humanitarian Data’s Data Responsibility Guidelines
41. UNDP Digital Strategy
42. UNDP Policy on Personal Data Protection and Privacy
43. UNHCR Data Transformation Strategy
44. UNHCR Policy on the Protection of Personal Data of Persons of Concern
45. UNICEF Policy on Personal Data Protection
46. UNOCHA’s Information Management Guidance – Sudden Onset Emergencies
47. USAID AI in Global Development Playbook
48. USAID Artificial Intelligence Action Plan
49. USAID Considerations for Using Data Responsibly
50. USAID Digital Strategy
51. WFP Guide to Personal Data Protection and Privacy
52. World Food Programme Guide to Personal Data Protection and Privacy
53. World Vision’s Information Security and Data Protection Policy
54. ???

I am certain that there are more than 53 guidelines on the ethical and responsible use of AI, data, or digital technology in international development programming. Many more.

Please tell us the documents we are missing in the comments and we’ll update this list. Help us reach 75 total guides!

Why Publish Ethical AI or Data Use Guides?

International development organizations like USAID publish guidance on the ethical and responsible use of AI, data, and digital technologies in humanitarian contexts to ensure that their interventions do no harm, respect local sovereignty, and enhance accountability, including:

1. Mitigating Harm and Ensuring Safety: Humanitarian work often involves vulnerable populations who may be less equipped to protect themselves from potential abuses or unintended consequences of digital technology use. AI and data-driven tools, for example, can introduce risks such as data misuse, privacy breaches, and biased decision-making. Documents like USAID’s Digital Strategy framework and the OECD AI Principles emphasize ethical guardrails to protect these communities from harm and discrimination.
2. Promoting Transparency and Trust: Trust is foundational in humanitarian contexts where agencies must demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of affected populations. Clear guidance on digital technology use promotes transparency in how data and AI are deployed, fostering trust among communities, local governments, and donors. For instance, the UN’s High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation underlines the importance of ethical transparency to maintain public confidence in digital solutions.
3. Respecting Local Agency and Autonomy: Ethical guidelines in these documents often emphasize respecting local sovereignty and decision-making capacity. They advocate for a “do no digital harm” approach, which includes prioritizing consent, respecting local data governance norms, and ensuring that communities can retain control over their data. USAID’s work in digital democracy initiatives, for instance, aims to prioritize the voices and rights of local communities.
4. Ensuring Fairness and Inclusivity: AI and data can exacerbate inequalities if not carefully managed. Guidelines on responsible technology use in humanitarian contexts highlight the need to design tools that are inclusive and accessible, especially to marginalized groups. These documents often stress the importance of inclusive data practices, ensuring AI and digital tools account for diverse socio-economic contexts, as noted in the Responsible Data for Children (RD4C) principles.
5. Alignment with International Standards: Guidance documents also help align practices with international standards like the OECD’s AI Principles and the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which have become benchmarks for ethical and responsible technology use worldwide. Such alignment ensures that international development organizations maintain consistency with global best practices and legal frameworks.

International development organizations must harness digital technologies to improve service delivery while respecting the dignity, safety, and autonomy of the communities they serve.