UN Secretariat - DCO

Reimagining UN Operational Services with AI and Robotics

Global Not Applicable

This initiative will be structured in two phases. The first phase is to assess and identify initiatives the UN system entities may have embarked on at their entity level to enhance operational efficiency by leveraging AI and Robotics, and in the second phase, as an Innovation Challenge, engage UN system entities, pilot scalable, high-impact AI and robotics-backed solutions that can improve operational services at the inter-agency level.

The initiative will be led by the Business Innovation Group (BIG) and supported in coordination by the UN Development Coordination Office (DCO).

Building on the success of similar events in the past within the UN and industry, this initiative will explore opportunities such as:

o AI-driven Finance & Administration Services: Automating invoice processing, expense tracking, and compliance checks.
o AI-powered Procurement Services: Predictive analytics for vendor selection, fraud detection, and contract management.
o Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for HR: Automating staff onboarding, payroll processing, and performance tracking.
o Chatbot-based Support Desks: AI chatbots for IT, HR, and administrative support across multiple UN agencies.

By integrating AI and robotics into common operations services models, this initiative will drive cost savings, reduce redundancy, and enhance service quality across the UN system.

Next Steps include:

1. Establish a governance body to oversee the initiative with BIG, UNICC, UN Innovation Network and representation from Regional Directors/RCs.
2. Form a time-bound working group with experts from UNICC and UN Innovation Network for technical guidance and execution.

Activity Type AI Tools/SolutionsAwareness/AdvocacyNetworks/Mentorship/Exchange