World: USG DiCarlo calls for responsible use of AI to strengthen trust in elections | United Nations Peace Operations

Country: World Source: UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Excellencies, Colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen, Thank you for joining us today. Let me begin by thanking all those who contributed to our publication, “AI in Electoral Administration, ” especially our colleagues at UNDP and the author, Ajay Patel. I also welcome our speakers and panelists, who will bring practical perspectives to today’s discussion. This work reflects the strong partnership between UNDP and DPPA’s Electoral Assistance Division. Our primary purpose is to help ensure coherent, effective and impartial electoral support to Member States. We do this by providing direct support to countries at their request. We also produce resources such as this publication, which are intended to assist electoral authorities, policymakers and practitioners as they make critical decisions about their electoral processes. Elections remain vital expressions of sovereignty, legitimacy and public trust. But the context is changing quickly. Artificial intelligence is already shaping elections. It affects the information environment in which voters make decisions. It affects how institutions communicate with the public and, increasingly, the work of electoral management bodies. So the question is not whether elections will be affected by AI. They already are. The question is how we respond together. For the United Nations, the approach is clear. AI must be used carefully, responsibly and with safeguards. Human rights must come first. Privacy and data protection must be upheld. Inclusion must be central. Transparency and accountability must guide decision-making. And human oversight must remain essential. AI adoption in elections must also be practical. That is why today’s publication matters. From Promise to Practice: AI in Electoral Administration offers timely guidance on one of the most important emerging issues facing electoral institutions today. It helps move the discussion from broad principles to concrete choices. It is not an endorsement of AI for every context. It is a resource for electoral management bodies as they consider whether, where and how AI may be used responsibly. It also connects to broader United Nations work on AI governance, including the Global Digital Compact and its vision of an inclusive, safe and secure digital future. Ultimately, elections depend on trust: trust in information, institutions, procedures and outcomes. Safeguarding and sustaining that trust is paramount. At the United Nations we will continue to support Member States, upon request, as they respond to an evolving environment and work to deliver credible, inclusive and trusted elections. Thank you. I look forward to the discussion.

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