The Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) has unveiled its AI-REAL Toolkit, a significant step towards promoting responsible AI adoption, during the G20 Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence Ministers’ Meeting held in Cape Town. This toolkit aims to provide governments with a structured framework to evaluate their readiness for AI integration and to encourage its ethical deployment across various sectors.
Responsible ai: Framework for Ethical AI Development
At the core of the AI-REAL Toolkit, which stands for AI Readiness to Empowerment, Adoption, and Leadership, lies the ambition to ensure that AI development is not only ethical but also inclusive and sustainable. The DCO emphasised that this initiative is crucial for transforming aspirations into actionable steps for responsible AI adoption.
Transforming Ambitions into Action
According to DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya, the toolkit is designed to help countries move from ambition to execution. “Our message is clear, we must move from ambition to execution, and from promises to practical solutions,” she stated. The DCO believes that the AI-REAL Toolkit will empower nations to ensure that every individual benefits from the advancements in AI technology.
Comprehensive Assessment and Strategic Pillars
The toolkit offers a diagnostic assessment across five strategic pillars, which include strategy, policies and regulations, research and development, data and infrastructure, and talent and skills. It comprises 17 dimensions and 39 key performance indicators that provide a thorough framework for policymakers and regulators to assess their national AI readiness.
Benchmarking Global Best Practices
Developed by benchmarking both leading and emerging AI nations, the AI-REAL Toolkit translates essential AI pillars into practical applications. This approach allows countries to identify gaps in their current strategies and shape effective national policies that prioritise responsible AI use.
International Pilots and Member State Engagement
The DCO has begun piloting the toolkit in select member states, including Cyprus, to validate its effectiveness in guiding national AI strategies. This pilot phase aims to refine the toolkit for broader implementation and ensure it meets the diverse needs of DCO members.
Moving Beyond Readiness Rankings
While existing global indexes rank countries based on their AI readiness, the AI-REAL Toolkit goes a step further by providing a roadmap for progress. It not only measures where a nation currently stands but also offers guidance on how to advance towards effective AI adoption.
Responding to Global AI Trends
The DCO drew attention to the importance of AI in driving economic growth. External forecasts suggest that generative AI could increase global GDP by approximately 7% over the next decade, with productivity gains projected at about 1.5 percentage points. The DCO highlights that the AI market is expected to grow significantly, from US$244 billion in 2025 to over US$1 trillion by 2031, underscoring the urgency for responsible AI adoption.
Building on Previous Initiatives
This launch follows the introduction of the AI Ethics Evaluator by the DCO in July 2025, which aimed to establish benchmarks for ethical AI governance. The AI-REAL Toolkit expands upon this initiative by providing an integrated framework that addresses the challenges of AI readiness and leadership.
DCO’s Commitment to Digital Inclusion
Founded in 2020, the Digital Cooperation Organisation represents the ministries of communications and information technology from its 16 member states, collectively accounting for nearly US$3.5 trillion in GDP and a market of over 800 million people, with a youthful demographic where more than 70% are under the age of 35. Through initiatives like the AI-REAL Toolkit, the DCO is committed to equipping its members with the necessary resources to navigate the evolving landscape of AI responsibly.
The Future of AI Adoption
As nations increasingly recognise the significance of AI, the DCO’s AI-REAL Toolkit is positioned as a vital resource for ensuring that AI technologies are developed and adopted in ways that are ethical, inclusive, and beneficial to society as a whole. By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, the DCO aims to lead the way in responsible AI adoption, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital economy.
