UNESCO Collaborates with India to Harness AI for Socio-Economic Development

New Delhi, June 27, 2025 — The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is actively partnering with India to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can be leveraged to address pressing social and economic challenges. This collaboration comes as India prepares to host the Global Summit on AI Impact early next year.

Irakli Khodeli, Head of the Ethics of AI Unit at UNESCO, highlighted India's growing leadership in digital innovation and policy reform. Speaking at the Third UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI 2025, Khodeli remarked, “India is a shining star in digital transformation and in using technology to solve socio-economic issues. The world is looking to India for guidance and inspiration.”

India: A Global Role Model in AI and Digital Policy

UNESCO acknowledged India’s pivotal role in shaping global AI governance. During India's G20 Presidency in 2023, the country played a significant part as a knowledge partner in formulating AI ethics recommendations. One of India’s experts was also a key contributor to the 24-member group that developed the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted by all 193 member countries.

“India is not just a top innovator in AI technology but also a leader in policy-making to ensure responsible and inclusive AI development,” said Khodeli.

UNESCO’s Global AI Strategy and India’s Leadership

UNESCO has organized three major global summits to date—UK (2023) focused on AI Safety, South Korea (2024) emphasized AI Ethics, and the Paris summit in 2025 marked the beginning of AI Action. The upcoming India-hosted summit in 2026 will shift focus to real-world impact and implementation.

Khodeli emphasized the need for "action to demonstrate the true impact of AI," stating that the phase of discussing ethical frameworks has transitioned into actionable strategies, aided by UNESCO’s Readiness Assessment Methodology. This tool helps countries identify AI-related opportunities and address gaps for optimized implementation.

Bridging Global Knowledge and Local Innovation

UNESCO is currently conducting AI readiness assessments in over 70 countries, gathering insights into what policies and technologies work best. Khodeli noted, “India’s success in AI governance is being studied and replicated globally. Likewise, we are bringing global best practices back to India.”

Highlighting India’s global influence, Khodeli added, “Indian-origin professionals play vital roles in leading tech companies around the world. It’s a testament to the country's rich talent pool.”

AI Ethics and Sustainable Development

UNESCO is also committed to integrating AI ethics into talent training programs worldwide. Khodeli stressed the importance of designing AI systems that are less resource-intensive and environmentally sustainable. “AI is a revolutionary technology, but we must ensure its development is balanced with environmental considerations,” he said.

As India prepares to host the world at the Global AI Impact Summit, the partnership with UNESCO is set to deepen, focusing on sharing knowledge, shaping inclusive policies, and ensuring AI contributes to sustainable development globally.