Contributing to the Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values Index
My experience contributing to the index with the country report for Norway 2021–2022
The Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values Index (AIDV) was launched the 21st of February 2022 online with the Vice President of the European Parliament as a keynote speaker alongside a panel discussion with a diverse range of contributors to the field of artificial intelligence and policy. This article is short reflection on the process of contributing to the AIDV.
Before discussing the AIDV it might be good to mention that it is created by the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP). CAIDP is an independent non-profit corporation based in Washington, DC.
“The Center for AI and Digital Policy aims to ensure that artificial intelligence and digital policies promote a better society, more fair, more just, and more accountable — a world where technology promotes broad social inclusion based on fundamental rights, democratic institutions, and the rule of law.”
1. What is Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values Index?
Before even starting to discuss contributing to the AIDV it might be good to talk about what it is. So what is the AIDV?
In the words of the founder and President of CAIDP Marc Rotenberg:
“The AIDV Index is based on global norms found in the OECD/G20 AI Principles, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the new UNESCO Recommendation on AI Ethics. Policies and practices were evaluated for 50 countries. There was also careful analysis of AI related developments in 2021 at international organisations, including the G7 and the G20, the European Union and the Council of Europe.”
The report was preceded by Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values rating and ranking 30 countries in 2020. The countries were expanded to 50.
The 2021 report is the result of the work of more than 100 AI policy experts in almost 40 countries.
I was one of those people working within AI policy that contributed to the report.
You can read more about the report here:
2. Contributing to the Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values Index
What did I contribute with?
Together with one other AI policy expert I wrote the country report for Norway. I actively work with AI Policy and Ethics at the Norwegian Artificial Intelligence Research Consortium, so it was important that I received reflections from my collaborator from outside of Norway. Since I am fluent in Norwegian it helped me access a lot of documents that might have been harder for others to find.
How was the process?
I created the draft of the country report looking at a wide range of policy documents and initiatives in Norway checking these with the indicators tracked within the CAIDP.
Broadly speaking this also meant examining a wide range of different areas of Norwegian society where artificial intelligence is being applied or considered.
Furthermore, our contribution was in consideration of the national strategy, public participation, global partnerships, OECD AI principles, human rights, oversight (data protection authority) as well as data protection laws and policies.
How does Norway compare?
This was the first year Norway joined the index. The overall evaluation was that Norway ranked in the second highest tier with an overall score of 10 with 11 being the highest score awarded. As you may see U.S. ranks with 7.5 and China with 6.0 as an example of how Norway compares.
You can download the full report in pdf. format here or epub format here.
3. Going forward with Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values Index
What is the next step?
CAIDP is still working with the AIDV Index. I contribute two-three evenings each week to this joint international effort outside of my working hours. Right now I am helping as a team leader responsible for several teams of AI policy experts writing new country reports or updating existing ones.
Why contribute?
Yes, I do contribute to get a better overview of what is going on around the world, yet it is also to learn more together with other people within AI policy that have different backgrounds. It is the diverse range of opinions and the sharing of knowledge as well as experience that brings me back every week.
I hope this was helpful if you were wondering about the process.
This is #1000daysofAI and you are reading article 510. I am writing one new article about or related to artificial intelligence for 1000 days. The first 500 days I wrote an article every day, and now from 500 to 1000 I write at a different pace.
