Artificial intelligence is often discussed in terms of productivity, automation and the future of work. But UNICEF is also exploring how AI can be used to address some of the most pressing challenges facing children and communities.
Through its Office of Innovation, UNICEF is supporting AI-powered solutions in areas including climate, health and education, with a focus on ensuring that new technologies are inclusive, ethical and designed to deliver real social benefits.
From climate warnings to inclusive learning
UNICEF highlights a wide range of practical uses for AI already being tested or scaled.
These include:
- monitoring harmful air pollution;
- predicting extreme climate events;
- mapping groundwater in drought-affected areas;
- supporting underserved languages through natural language processing;
- creating more inclusive digital textbooks;
- translating important health information; and
- identifying children who have missed essential vaccinations.
The common thread is that AI is being used to solve specific problems, rather than simply being adopted because the technology is new.
Building AI that works for everyone
UNICEF’s approach also places strong emphasis on open-source, adaptable and responsible AI.
Through initiatives such as AI in Play, developed with Arm, UNICEF brings together partners who want to use frontier technologies for social good. Its Venture Fund has also invested in more than 60 AI-powered projects across over 30 countries.
Importantly, the organisation is not only supporting new technologies. It is also working to improve AI literacy and skills among children, adolescents and frontline workers, helping people understand and use these tools effectively.
Why this matters for VALUES
For VALUES, UNICEF’s work provides a strong example of what responsible AI can look like in practice.
Ethical AI is not only about identifying risks such as bias, privacy or misuse. It is also about asking whether technology is being developed in ways that are inclusive, accessible and genuinely useful to society.
These examples can help young people think beyond the question of what AI is capable of doing and consider a more important one:
How can AI be used to improve lives while protecting people, rights and values?
Helping young people engage with questions like this is central to building a generation that can use AI not only confidently, but responsibly and with purpose.
Further reading: UNICEF Office of Innovation, Harnessing artificial intelligence for social good.