AI Readiness Assessment in Ukraine
How can a country rebuild its digital future while facing the challenges of war? For Ukraine, the answer begins with trust, resilience, and ethical technology. Under UNESCO’s leadership, a new EU-funded project is helping the country take a decisive step toward responsible artificial intelligence.
To launch this effort, UNESCO and the Policy and Management Consulting Group (PMCG) hosted a public event in Kyiv on 12 November. The gathering brought together senior representatives from the Government of Ukraine, UNESCO, and the wider AI and digital policy community to set the stage for this ambitious project: “Assessing Ukraine’s Readiness for the Ethical and Responsible Deployment of Artificial Intelligence.”
This initiative is part of UNESCO’s global mission to help Member States implement the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted in 2021 by 193 countries. To turn this commitment into action, UNESCO developed the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) — a practical tool to evaluate national preparedness for ethical AI governance and provide actionable policy guidance.
The event served as a platform to introduce the project’s objectives, structure, and timeline, as well as to initiate dialogue among national stakeholders committed to building a transparent, inclusive, and human-centered AI ecosystem.
Addressing the audience, Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi, Head of the UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine, underscored the strategic value of the project for the country.
“Ukraine is advancing its digital transition even amid the extraordinary challenges of war. This readiness assessment is not only about technology — it is about resilience, trust, and human-centered recovery. It is about ensuring that as Ukraine rebuilds, it builds smarter, fairer, and more inclusive systems for all its citizens.”
Whereas Oleksandr Bornyakov, Deputy Minister for EU Integration, Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, further highlighted the importance of building an ethical AI ecosystem as a foundation for Ukraine’s digital and economic advancement:
“Through this UNESCO initiative, Ukraine is taking a significant step toward responsible and ethical AI by launching its first nationwide readiness assessment. This systematic study will provide essential insights into our capabilities, highlight key challenges, and develop recommendations that will support the renewal of state AI policy.”
The event featured insights from Dr. Camilo Sarmiento, who introduced UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI and the RAM methodology, sharing lessons learned from its application in other regions, including Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
The event concluded with remarks from PMCG’s Project Team Lead, Oleksii Molchanovskyi, and Sofiia Klymchuk, AI Policy Consultant. Oleksii outlined the project’s objectives, expected outcomes, and overall timeline. He also introduced the key deliverables – a Diagnostic Report, a Synthesis Report, and a Policy-Oriented Country Report – all designed to strengthen institutional capacity, elevate Ukraine’s international profile, and support the implementation of a national AI strategy.
Sofiia announced the official launch of the multi-stakeholder Steering Committee, which brings together representatives from:
- Ministries and government agencies of Ukraine
- Independent regulatory bodies
- Academic and research institutions
- Civil society and non-governmental organizations
- The private sector
- International organizations and development partners
During the event, the Committee’s mandate, roles, and responsibilities were presented. Moving forward, it will guide the project through ongoing consultations and the validation of key milestones.
By joining this initiative, Ukraine becomes part of a growing global community working with UNESCO to develop robust, human-rights-based frameworks for AI governance – frameworks that safeguard freedom, transparency, accountability, and inclusion in the digital age.
