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UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI

Self-Assess
International
v2021
8 domains
38 controls

The first global normative instrument on the ethics of artificial intelligence, adopted by all 193 UNESCO Member States in November 2021. Establishes a comprehensive framework of values, principles, and policy action areas to guide the ethical development and deployment of AI systems worldwide.

Verified

UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI is a compliance framework from International with 8 domains and 38 controls that map to 108 other frameworks. The largest domains are Policy Action Areas (15 controls), Principles (10 controls), Values (8 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.

Maintained by Gerard BlokdykVerified against the published standard Control text last updated

Framework summaries on this platform are AI-assisted interpretations for educational and compliance planning purposes. They do not reproduce or replace the official standards. Refer to the authoritative source for the definitive text. Framework names and trademarks belong to their respective organisations.

Framework Domains (8)

Implementation and Readiness

1 controls
Controls in the Implementation and Readiness domain of UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI — 1 controls
CodeTitle
UNESCO-IMPL-READINESSImplementation: Readiness Assessment Methodology

Policy Action Areas

15 controls
Controls in the Policy Action Areas domain of UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI — 15 controls
CodeTitle
UNESCO-AI-PA1Ethical Impact Assessment
UNESCO-AI-PA10Economy and Labour
UNESCO-AI-PA11Health and Social Well-Being
UNESCO-AI-PA2Ethical Governance and Stewardship
UNESCO-AI-PA3Data Policy
UNESCO-AI-PA4Development and International Cooperation
UNESCO-AI-PA5Environment and Ecosystems
UNESCO-AI-PA6Gender
UNESCO-AI-PA7Culture
UNESCO-AI-PA8Education and Research
UNESCO-AI-PA9Communication and Information
UNESCO-PA-DATAPolicy area: data policy
UNESCO-PA-ENVPolicy area: environment and ecosystems
UNESCO-PA-GENDERPolicy area: gender
UNESCO-PA-IMPACTPolicy area: ethical impact assessment

Policy Areas

1 controls
Controls in the Policy Areas domain of UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI — 1 controls
CodeTitle
UNESCOAI-4Policy Action Areas (Ethical Impact, Research, Data, etc.)

Principles

10 controls
Controls in the Principles domain of UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI — 10 controls
CodeTitle
UNESCO-PR-AWARENESSAwareness and literacy
UNESCO-PR-FAIRNESSFairness and non-discrimination
UNESCO-PR-MULTIMulti-stakeholder and adaptive governance
UNESCO-PR-OVERSIGHTHuman oversight and determination
UNESCO-PR-PRIVACYRight to privacy and data protection
UNESCO-PR-PROPORTIONProportionality and do no harm
UNESCO-PR-RESPResponsibility and accountability
UNESCO-PR-SAFETYSafety and security
UNESCO-PR-SUSTAINSustainability
UNESCO-PR-TRANSPTransparency and explainability

Principles 1-3

1 controls
Controls in the Principles 1-3 domain of UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI — 1 controls
CodeTitle
UNESCOAI-1Principles 1-3: Proportionality, Safety, Fairness

Principles 4-7

1 controls
Controls in the Principles 4-7 domain of UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI — 1 controls
CodeTitle
UNESCOAI-2Principles 4-7: Sustainability, Privacy, Human Oversight, Transparency

Principles 8-10

1 controls
Controls in the Principles 8-10 domain of UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI — 1 controls
CodeTitle
UNESCOAI-3Principles 8-10: Accountability, Awareness, Governance

Values

8 controls
Controls in the Values domain of UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI — 8 controls
CodeTitle
UNESCO-AI-V1Human Rights and Human Dignity
UNESCO-AI-V2Living in Peaceful, Just and Interconnected Societies
UNESCO-AI-V3Ensuring Diversity and Inclusiveness
UNESCO-AI-V4Environment and Ecosystem Flourishing
UNESCO-VAL-DIGNITYRespect for human rights and human dignity
UNESCO-VAL-DIVERSEEnsuring diversity and inclusiveness
UNESCO-VAL-ENVFlourishing of environment and ecosystems
UNESCO-VAL-PEACELiving in peaceful, just and interconnected societies

Your Compliance Coverage

If you comply with UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, you already cover:

ISO/IEC 23894:2023

16%

6 controls mapped

Compare →

ISO 26000:2010

13%

5 controls mapped

Compare →

WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025

13%

5 controls mapped

Compare →

+ 105 more: South Korea Korea Internet Self-Governance Organisation (KISO) Code of Ethics (11%), SASB Standards (11%)

See all 108 mapped frameworks ↓

Maps to 108 other frameworks

38 total controls
ISO/IEC 23894:2023
6 source controls mapped|8 target controls covered
16%
ISO 26000:2010
5 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
13%
WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025
5 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
13%
South Korea Korea Internet Self-Governance Organisation (KISO) Code of Ethics
4 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
11%
SASB Standards
4 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
11%
ISO 20400:2017 - Sustainable Procurement
4 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
11%
Bahrain PDPL
4 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
11%
Saudi Arabia PDPL
4 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
11%
AICPA Privacy Management Framework (PMF)
4 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
11%
Switzerland New Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP/nDSG, 2023)
4 source controls mapped|8 target controls covered
11%
Singapore AI Governance Framework
4 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
11%
RICS Professional Standards - Data and Technology in Property
4 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
11%
ISO 14001
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
8%
BREEAM - Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
8%
ISO 37000:2021 - Governance of Organizations
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
8%
ISO/IEC 38500:2024 - Governance of IT
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
8%
TNFD Recommendations
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
8%
SOC for Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity Risk Management Examination
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
8%
ISO 27018
3 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
8%
US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) - Connected Product Safety
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
8%
FedRAMP High
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
8%
NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5.1 HIGH
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
8%
FedRAMP Moderate
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
8%
NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 MODERATE
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
8%
NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
8%
ISO 27799
3 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
8%
NIST SP 800-190
3 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
8%
GDPR
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
8%
UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code)
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
8%
ISO 27017
3 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
8%
AWWA Cybersecurity Guidance for the Water Sector (American Water Works Association)
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
8%
Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI)
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
8%
Singapore Government Instruction Manual on ICT&SS Management (IM8)
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
8%
Barbados Data Protection Act 2019
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
8%
ISO 13485
3 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
8%
Automotive SPICE (ASPICE) v4.0 - Process Assessment Model
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
8%
UK Online Safety Act 2023
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
8%
Vermont Artificial Intelligence and Consumer Data Act (AICDA)
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
8%
UNICEF Policy Guidance on AI for Children (2021)
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
8%
South Korea ISMS-P
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
Virginia CDPA
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
Uruguay DPL
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
ICAO Annex 17 - Aviation Security (AVSEC)
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
ISO 27019
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
ISO/IEC 27557:2022 - Organisational Privacy Risk Management
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) - Responsible Minerals Assurance Process
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
5%
ISO 45001
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
IEC 62443
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
ISO 22000
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
UK Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD) - Water Industry
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
APRA SPS 220 Risk Management (Superannuation)
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
SQF Code Edition 9 - Safe Quality Food
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programmes - Global Standards
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
Annex 11 to EU GMP - Computerised Systems
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
SSAE 18 - Attestation Standards (SOC Reporting)
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
5%
ISO 26262:2018 - Functional Safety for Road Vehicles
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
UAE Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) Regulations
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
ISO 31000
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
5%
ISO/IEC 29134:2023
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
SANS Incident Handler's Handbook and PICERL Methodology
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
API 1164
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
NIST SP 1800-32
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
ASIS SPC.1-2009 - Organizational Resilience Standard
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
ISO/IEC 27003:2017
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
ISO/IEC 29147:2018
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
BSI IT-Grundschutz
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
5%
Singapore Cybersecurity Act 2018
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
ISO 27005
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
5%
FBI CJIS Security Policy
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
5%
NFPA 1600 - Standard on Continuity, Emergency, and Crisis Management
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
ISO/IEC 27031:2011
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
Kuwait National Cybersecurity Framework
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
ISO 22313:2020 - Guidance on Business Continuity Management Systems
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
APRA CPS 230 Operational Risk Management
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
EASA Part-IS - Information Security in Aviation
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
NIST SP 800-171A Rev 3 - Assessing CUI Security Requirements
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
AML/CTF Act 2006 (Australia)
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
DAMA-DMBOK2 - Data Management Body of Knowledge (2nd Edition)
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
5%
ISO/IEC 25012:2008 - Data Quality Model
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
5%
Regulation on the European Health Data Space (EHDS)
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
Albania Law on Protection of Personal Data (Law No. 9887, 2008, amended 2014)
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
Vietnam PDPD
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
Vietnam Law on Cybersecurity (No. 24/2018/QH14)
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
UK Modern Slavery Act 2015
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
FDA Quality Management System Regulation (QMSR)
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
IEC 60601-1 - Medical Electrical Equipment Safety
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
ISO 15189:2022 - Medical Laboratories Requirements for Quality and Competence
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
3%
COSO Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
Aged Care Quality Standards 2019 (repealed edition)
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
3%
Florida Digital Bill of Rights (FDBR)
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA)
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
South Africa Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA)
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
Sweden Data Protection Act (Dataskyddslag, 2018:218)
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
Uganda Data Protection and Privacy Act (2019)
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
3%
ISO/IEC 27400:2022
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
TEFCA - Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
Austria Data Protection Act (Datenschutzgesetz, DSG, amended 2018)
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
3%
ISO/IEC 27011:2024
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
3%
UK Defence Standard 05-138 - Cyber Security for Defence Suppliers
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
Nebraska Data Privacy Act
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
CISA Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPG) 2.0
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
ASD Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
Telecommunications Sector Security Reforms (TSSR)
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
Azerbaijan Law on Personal Data (2010)
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
NIST SP 800-124 Revision 2 - Guidelines for Managing the Security of Mobile Devices
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
US Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) - Higher Education Safeguards Rule
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
Compare UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI with ISO/IEC 23894:2023

What is UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI and who does it apply to?

UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI is a compliance framework from International with 8 domains and 38 controls. The first global normative instrument on the ethics of artificial intelligence, adopted by all 193 UNESCO Member States in November 2021. Establishes a comprehensive framework of values, principles, and policy action areas to guide the ethical development and deployment of AI systems worldwide. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

What does UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI actually require?

UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI has 38 controls organised across 8 domains. The largest domains are Policy Action Areas (15 controls), Principles (10 controls), Values (8 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.

If I already comply with another framework, how much of UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI do I already cover?

UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI maps to 108 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are ISO/IEC 23894:2023 (16% coverage), ISO 26000:2010 (13% coverage), WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025 (13% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.

How do I implement UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI?

Start your UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 38 controls and track your progress.

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