Session
Subtheme
Organizer 1: Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Organizer 2: Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Organizer 3: Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Organizer 2: Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Organizer 3: Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 1: Fabio Senne, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Prateek Sibal, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 3: Fonseca Ribeiro Gustavo, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 2: Prateek Sibal, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 3: Fonseca Ribeiro Gustavo, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Format
Classroom
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: Our session format is ideal for our proposed panel, as it allows our diverse speakers from judicial, parliamentary, and civil service backgrounds to share their distinct experiences implementing AI capacity-building initiatives across different contexts. The format enables both in-depth exploration of regional approaches and the sharing of common challenges and solutions. By featuring practitioners and experts with firsthand experience, the panel structure facilitates cross-sectoral dialogue that highlights both universal principles and context-specific approaches to AI governance.
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: Our session format is ideal for our proposed panel, as it allows our diverse speakers from judicial, parliamentary, and civil service backgrounds to share their distinct experiences implementing AI capacity-building initiatives across different contexts. The format enables both in-depth exploration of regional approaches and the sharing of common challenges and solutions. By featuring practitioners and experts with firsthand experience, the panel structure facilitates cross-sectoral dialogue that highlights both universal principles and context-specific approaches to AI governance.
Policy Question(s)
A. What are the distinctive challenges and opportunities in building capacity in AI and digital transformation among public sector stakeholders?
B. Which policy actions and institutional frameworks can most effectively increase AI capacity building in the public sector while promoting inclusive participation and knowledge sharing?
C. How can public sector stakeholders balance leveraging AI's benefits for public service improvement while managing ethical and accountability challenges?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will understand key trends in AI adoption across public sector stakeholders, and the benefits and challenges that come with implementing AI in the public sector. They will explore UNESCO's comprehensive approach for AI capacity development, including the Digital Competency Framework and the Global Toolkit on AI and the Rule of Law. Through interactive discussion, participants will discover actionable tools and strategic approaches to strengthen AI literacy among judicial professionals, parliamentarians, and civil servants. Attendees will leave equipped with practical resources to advance responsible AI governance within their respective institutions and a clear roadmap for fostering digital transformation that prioritizes human rights, freedom of expression, and the rule of law.
Description:
This session addresses the critical need to build AI capacities for public sector stakeholders–judicial actors, civil servants, and parliamentarians–to enhance democratic institutions in the age of AI transformation. As AI systems increasingly impact governance and public services, these key stakeholders must develop the knowledge and skills to effectively leverage AI while ensuring transparency, accountability, and human rights protections. The session will showcase UNESCO's human rights-centric approach to AI governance and present practical tools for capacity building across three domains: 1) Judiciary: Enhancing access to justice and ensuring legal frameworks adapt to AI challenges; 2) Parliament: Developing effective oversight mechanisms for AI in public administration; 3) Civil Service: Implementing responsible AI solutions that improve service delivery while maintaining public trust.
This session addresses the critical need to build AI capacities for public sector stakeholders–judicial actors, civil servants, and parliamentarians–to enhance democratic institutions in the age of AI transformation. As AI systems increasingly impact governance and public services, these key stakeholders must develop the knowledge and skills to effectively leverage AI while ensuring transparency, accountability, and human rights protections. The session will showcase UNESCO's human rights-centric approach to AI governance and present practical tools for capacity building across three domains: 1) Judiciary: Enhancing access to justice and ensuring legal frameworks adapt to AI challenges; 2) Parliament: Developing effective oversight mechanisms for AI in public administration; 3) Civil Service: Implementing responsible AI solutions that improve service delivery while maintaining public trust.
Expected Outcomes
1. A comprehensive mapping of priority capacity gaps across judicial, parliamentary, and civil service domains that hinder effective AI governance and implementation.
2. Practical recommendations for developing tailored capacity-building programs that address the unique needs of public sector duty bearers compared to private sector approaches.
3. Expanded participation in UNESCO's Network of Schools of Public Administration for AI and Digital Transformation, with session participants invited to join this community of practice.
4. Increased submissions of tools, frameworks, and methodologies shared during the session for inclusion in UNESCO/IRCAI's RADAR AI tools repository, creating a lasting resource for public sector stakeholders.
5. Other future partnerships and collaborations with UNESCO on capacity building on AI and digital transformation.
Hybrid Format: First, we'll have a dedicated online moderator working alongside the onsite moderator to monitor the online chat, collect questions, and call on virtual participants to ask questions. Each segment includes designated time for onsite and online questions, with an online moderator to curate virtual contributions. Speakers will engage with participants.
Second, we'll create an engaging experience for online and onsite participants by sharing relevant materials, including slides and UNESCO’s publications, with registered participants. We'll ensure visual presentations are optimized for both online viewing and in-room display. We'll check the online room and the chat to ensure that we can address all online participants’ questions and give them opportunities to contribute.
Third, we'll use online polling platform to poll both online and in-person audiences to understand their perspectives and learning interests. This will tailor the discussion to be relevant to participants and will enable organizers to engage in-depth with participants.