UNDP’s approach goes beyond a purely technological focus. It is based on the premise that the deployment of artificial intelligence must be built on a solid foundation of public digital infrastructure, supported by adequate legal frameworks, strengthened institutional capacities, and transparent governance of data use. In this regard, UNDP actively collaborates with Member States around the world to support the design of public policies that ensure AI serves the common good rather than exacerbating existing structural inequalities.

The document emphasizes that while AI has the potential to transform key areas such as health, education, environmental management, economic development, and disaster response, its implementation carries significant risks related to privacy, algorithmic discrimination, technological power concentration, and digital dependency. Therefore, UNDP promotes a holistic and preventive approach, where ethical, regulatory, and social considerations precede the massive adoption of these technologies.

Initiatives such as the SURGE Data Hub and the Data Futures Platform complement this work by providing integrated data, analytical tools, and reference frameworks that enable countries to make informed decisions regarding the use of artificial intelligence. These platforms strengthen governments' capacity to assess impacts, simulate scenarios, and design sustainable, evidence-based interventions.

Overall, UNDP’s approach to AI is part of a broader vision of people-centered digital transformation. This means empowering countries not only to adopt technology but also to actively participate in its development, regulation, and strategic use. The goal is not merely to apply automated solutions, but to build democratic and resilient digital governance that ensures the benefits of artificial intelligence are fairly distributed and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

AI for Development is, therefore, a call to action for governments, institutions, and development professionals: to adopt AI not as an end in itself, but as a tool to foster a new generation of more inclusive, proactive, and anticipatory public policies.

This article was originally published in:
https://undp.sharepoint.com/:b:/r/sites/CDOTeam/Shared%20Documents/Thought%20Leadership/Digital%20Bytes/Digital%20Byte_AI%20for%20Development.pdf