The Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) has launched a new guidebook aimed at assisting governments in developing ethical artificial intelligence policies. This initiative was unveiled during a significant event held alongside the inaugural United Nations Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance in Geneva.
- Importantly, the DCO has made the guidebook publicly accessible through its official website, ensuring that it can reach a wider audience of policymakers and stakeholders.
Ethical ai: Event Marks a Milestone for AI Governance
The launch occurred on July 8, during a session co-hosted by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) and the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE). The event, titled “Responsible, Trusted, and Safe AI for Prosperity: From Principles to Practice,” took place on the sidelines of the UN Global Dialogue, which unfolded from July 6 to July 7, 2026.
Bringing Together Key Stakeholders
According to the DCO, the session gathered a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, representatives from international organisations, industry leaders, academics, civil society members, and technical experts. The discussions focused on how nations can accelerate the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence through practical governance frameworks, capacity building, and international collaboration.
A Comprehensive Resource for Policymakers
The DCO introduced the DCO Ethical AI Guidebook for Policymakers, designed to aid governments, regulators, and national AI task forces in translating ethical AI principles into actionable policies, legislation, strategies, and governance frameworks. This guidebook is grounded in the DCO’s Principles for Ethical AI and the Riyadh AI Call to Action Declaration, forming part of a wider ecosystem of governance tools intended to bolster countries’ preparedness for AI.
Tools for Effective AI Governance
In addition to the guidebook, the DCO has developed several complementary tools, including the DCO AI Ethics Evaluator, the AI-REAL Toolkit and Web Portal, and the Digital Economy Navigator. These instruments are aimed at enhancing institutional capacity, fostering trust, and supporting evidence-based policymaking and investment decisions among governments.
Public Accessibility and Future Prospects
Importantly, the DCO has made the guidebook publicly accessible through its official website, ensuring that it can reach a wider audience of policymakers and stakeholders.
Voices from the AI Community
During the main programme at the UN Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, DCO secretary-general Deemah AlYahya participated in a high-profile panel discussion alongside notable figures from the AI industry and civil society. AlYahya took the opportunity to advocate for what the DCO refers to as the “World Digital Majority” in the ongoing discourse regarding inclusive global AI governance.
Equity in AI Regulation
“The architecture of the AI age is being drawn right now, and more than half the world’s nations are not holding the pen,” AlYahya stated, highlighting the urgent need for equitable participation in AI governance discussions. She emphasised that the challenges faced extend beyond mere implementation gaps, framing them as questions of equity concerning who shapes the rules of the AI age and who is obliged to adhere to them.
Consensus on Ethical Principles
AlYahya conveyed that there is a widely shared understanding of the fundamental principles that should govern artificial intelligence. “The world does not lack principles. We agree AI must be responsible, trustworthy, and inclusive,” she asserted. However, she pointed out that the real issue lies in the lack of capacity to act on these established principles.
Closing the Gap with Practical Tools
“The DCO Ethical AI Guidebook for Policymakers exists to close that gap, to put practical tools in the hands of every government, so that AI becomes a trusted engine of digital prosperity for all,” AlYahya concluded, affirming the DCO’s commitment to fostering a responsible AI landscape.
About the DCO
Founded in 2020, the Digital Cooperation Organisation is the world’s first standalone international intergovernmental organisation dedicated to advancing an inclusive and sustainable digital economy. It unites the ministries responsible for communications and information technology from its 16 member states, which collectively represent a substantial economy worth around $3.5 trillion and a market encompassing over 800 million individuals, more than 70 per cent of whom are under the age of 35.
