A Toolkit for the UN: Responsible Tech Playbook Launched

Have you ever thought about the potential unintended consequences of the technology we develop? You are not alone.

Recognizing the importance of holistic thinking in technology design and development, the Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT), in collaboration with global technology consultancy ThoughtWorks, co-authored the Responsible Technology Playbook - Tools for the United Nations (PDF).

In past decades, technology has become increasingly pervasive in our society.

Only recently, however, have we begun to better understand the potential negative impacts on our daily lives. We must be mindful, therefore, that the way we adopt and develop technology is in harmony with the UN mission and values.

Beyond technical and policy compliance, responsible technology practices embody the UN’s dedication to human rights, peace, equality and sustainability, among other ideals.

The Responsible Tech Playbook aims to assist teams in identifying strategies for greater inclusivity, heightened bias awareness, and transparency. It outlines methodologies and techniques that help readers pinpoint and assess problems associated with the design and development of technology. Plus, it guides users in choosing the methodology and technique most suitable to addressing their identified challenges.  

The Playbook caters to both technologists and cross functional teams. Whether you are working on product deployment or are just simply curious about responsible tech practices, the playbook is meant for you.

To learn more about how responsible technology empowers the UN to harness data and digital tools to improve lives while preventing unintended side-effects and potential pitfalls, visit the Ethical Tech page.