LALITPUR, NOVEMBER 28

UNESCO Kathmandu along with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) organized the "Multistakeholder Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance in Nepal" in collaboration with the Department of Languages and Mass Communication, Kathmandu University, and Digital Rights Nepal.

Issuing a press release on Monday, UNESCO said that, "Key Nepali stakeholders, including the government, civil society, academia, media, and the tech industry explored avenues for optimizing the opportunities AI offers while mitigating potential risks, and ensuring AI contributes to a more inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful world."

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Krishna Bahadur Raut, Secretary, MoCIT, stated that Asian countries are at the forefront of Digital Governance, offering valuable opportunities for nations like Nepal.

"While the influence of AI in upcoming elections and the reliance on a remittance-based economy pose potential threats to job displacement, it also underscores the need for proactive measures. Currently, the Digital Nepal Framework is undergoing a review process, emphasizing the significance of discussions that foster a shared understanding. These dialogues are crucial for the formulation of coherent policies, legal frameworks, and effective mechanisms that regulate AI and align with the broader goals of national development."

Referred as one of the first-ever comprehensive dialogue on the Governance of AI in Nepal by the attendees, it provided experts and participants to hold open discussions and interactions on various aspects of AI. They emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between innovation, ethical standards, and safeguarding the rights and freedoms of citizens, UNESCO said.

"UNESCO is concerned about the social impacts and implications of technology. This commitment is evident in the formulation of global social media guidelines, meticulously drafted through extensive consultations with member states. These guidelines aspire to safeguard the essence of everyone's freedom of expression, access to information, and the richness of diverse cultural content," Michael Croft, UNESCO Representative to Nepal.

"The context of our discussions on AI governance, UNESCO's vision aligns with our collective commitment to ensuring these principles flourish alongside the advancement of AI," added Croft.

The objective of the dialogue is to sensitize key stakeholders and policymakers about the implications of AI technologies on digital rights, privacy, and society and to develop a set of preliminary recommendations for the governance and regulation of AI in Nepal.

"Recognizing the impact of AI technologies on society, KU has inaugurated both Bachelor and Masters programs in AI. The primary objective of these courses is to cultivate graduates with a keen interest in conducting research and advancing their careers in AI," said Ekku Maya Pun, Acting Dean at School of Arts, Kathmandu University acknowledging the initiation made by UNESCO to shaping a digital landscape where technological advancements are balanced with human rights.

As operation of AI technologies become more evident globally, nations are recognizing a pressing necessity for regulating AI. This regulation is envisioned not only to expedite human development and innovation but also to safeguard fundamental principles such as human rights, peace, security, and the freedom of expression and information, the statement reads.

"The regulation of AI is a critical issue that demands a comprehensive and inclusive discussion involving diverse stakeholders in Nepal. This collaborative effort is instrumental in contributing to the establishment of a comprehensive AI governance framework that evolves alongside the development of AI technologies," said Tanka Aryal, Chairperson, Digital Rights Nepal.

A panel of undersecretaries representing government ministries and constitutional commissions engaged in a comprehensive discussion on the current state of AI governance and legal frameworks in Nepal. Additionally, another panel composed of experts representing tech industries, government bodies, and international organization discussed the need for a balance between innovation, ethics, and rights in the context of AI regulation in Nepal.

UNESCO has taken a leading role in pioneering initiatives to regulate AI worldwide and in Nepal. It has led the international effort to ensure that science and technology develop with strong ethical guardrails for decades. In November 2021, UNESCO produced the first-ever global standard on AI ethics – the 'Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence' which was adopted by all 193 Member States, UNESCO added.