Community of Practice on Artificial Intelligence
  

Hub 12: Integrating an Inclusive Lens into AI Innovation

1. Background and Rationale

Drawing from ESCAP's Community of Practice on AI (COPAI) practical experiences in embedding an inclusive lens throughout its learning journey, this session will focus on the collective pathways identified by the community to ensure AI innovation is ethically sound, accessible, equitable, and aligned with Cambodia's national development goals for an inclusive, knowledge-based economy.

As highlighted by the Pact for the Future, science, technology and innovation (STI) have a critical role in boosting economic growth and helping achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, these benefits often fail to reach all segments of society, creating or exacerbating inequalities. In the context of AI, this risk becomes even more pronounced. To ensure that Cambodia’s approach to AI development is inclusive and benefits all, COPAI has explored critical questions, drawing from resources such as the ESCAP Guidelines for Inclusive Technology and Innovation Policies:

1. Do the overall aims of AI initiatives promote more than economic growth?
2. Whose needs are being met by AI innovation?
3. Who participates in AI adoption and innovation?
4. Who sets priorities, and how are the outcomes managed?

Reflecting on these questions is essential for establishing robust AI promotion mechanisms grounded in intentional efforts to benefit underserved communities, leaving no one behind. Such an approach needs to balance innovation with risk management, ensuring AI solutions are accessible, ethical, and supportive of broader social and environmental goals. Drawing from international best practices and contextualizing them through community engagement, COPAI contributes to an AI ecosystem in Cambodia that:

• Promotes ethical and inclusive innovation, encouraging AI solutions that serve all citizens - including women, youth, and rural communities.
• Protects data privacy, mitigating the misuse of personal and sensitive data through clear standards and enforcement.
• Ensures transparency and accountability, embedding fairness and explainability into AI systems to build public trust.
• Fosters multi-stakeholder engagement, involving government, private sector, academia, and civil society in shaping AI initiatives, reflecting COPAI’s own structure.

2. Objectives

1. Share COPAI's practical experiences and key learnings from its collaborative efforts to integrate an inclusive lens into AI innovation in Cambodia.
2. Present the collective pathways identified by the COPAI community for ensuring AI innovation is ethically sound, accessible, equitable, and supportive of Cambodia's national development goals.
3. Facilitate a discussion on these pathways, drawing upon insights from resources like the ESCAP Guidelines for Inclusive Technology and Innovation Policies, to further refine understanding and promote responsible AI development in Cambodia.

3. Audience

This session targets approximately 30-40 participants, including government officials, academics, students, and private-sector innovators.