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Open-Source Generative AI for Digital Public Goods

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds immense potential to revolutionize the accessibility and quality of public sector services, enabling public institutions to better serve their citizens. However, the integration of AI in the public sector also presents significant risks, including ethical concerns, safety issues, and the need for human-centric deployment. To address these risks and promote the safe, ethical, and human-centered use of open-source generative AI by governments, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in collaboration with its partners, is spearheading the development of open-source AI tools specifically tailored to public sector needs.

Open-Source AI for Digital Public Goods

Building on the growing recognition of open-source AI's potential to drive equitable digital transformation, ITU has launched the AI for Good track on Open-Source AI for Digital Public Goods. This track focuses on harnessing the power of open-source AI to advance sustainable development goals, with a specific emphasis on applications that benefit the public sector and enhance the digital public infrastructure supporting citizen-centric services.

To date, the AI for Good track has hosted six webinars and workshops, drawing together over 1,000 participants from more than 50 countries and organizations worldwide. In addition, ITU has established a working group to facilitate the development of open-source generative AI solutions that meet the unique needs of the public sector.

Kick-off Meeting of the Working Group

On 12 July 2024, the ITU Open-Source Programme Office (OSPO) convened a working group on Open-Source Generative AI for Digital Public Goods. This working group aims to develop a blueprint solution based entirely on open-source technology, adhering to the standards and requirements of the public sector. The inaugural meeting of the working group witnessed the participation of more than 20 experts and specialists from government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, international development partners, and the private sector.

During this first meeting, participants engaged in discussions on the rationale and objectives of the working group, setting the stage for future collaboration. Work is currently underway to organize the workstreams, ensuring a structured and effective approach to identifying specific use cases and requirements. As the composition of the working group continues to evolve, ITU and its partners remain committed to fostering innovation and ensuring the responsible deployment of AI in the public sector.

Relevant resources:

AI for Good Global Summit: Track on Open-Source AI for Digital Public Goods

Terms of Reference: Working Group on Open-Source Generative AI for Digital Public Goods