The Global Index on Responsible AI, GIRAI, is the first tool to set globally relevant benchmarks for responsible AI and assess them in countries around the world.
This study constitutes the largest global data collection on responsible AI to date. In its first edition, the Index represents primary data collected by researchers from 138 countries, including 41 countries from Africa, between November 1, 2021 and November 1, 2023.
During the panel, the 1st edition report and an interactive portal providing open access to all the data gathered as part of the project were made available online at global-index.ai.
Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, BIRN HUB, contributed to the Index, leading the research for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia.
“Working on the first edition of GIRAI was both a privilege and a challenge. As we delved into the data and sought relevant evidence, we observed a significant discrepancy between countries. While some nations lead in AI use and initiatives, much remains to be done regarding ethical AI development,” said Ivana Jeremic, BIRN’s Digital Rights Programme Content Lead and GIRAI Southeast Europe Research Team Leader.
“The index will become a valuable tool for tracking progress and an excellent resource for journalists and researchers. This process has been a learning experience, and I believe the next round will be even better, hopefully including more countries, given the importance of this topic,” she added.
The GIRAI is a flagship project by the Global Center on AI Governance that tracks and measures countries’ commitments and progress towards responsible AI. The tool is comprehensive and multidimensional, involving data collection and analysis from 138 countries to provide a comprehensive understanding of how nations are addressing the ethical, social, and regulatory challenges posed by AI technologies.
The Index highlights global trends and gaps in responsible AI, serving as a critical tool for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to understand the current landscape and drive improvements. It promotes international cooperation, encourages the adoption of human-centric AI frameworks, and fosters a sustainable and ethical future for AI.