Artificial intelligence could improve official statistics from production to use
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming official statistics, bringing new opportunities to improve the way we collect, process, analyse, and communicate data for development.
Task Team on AI - working together to increase the benefits and overcome the challenges
The Task Team on Artificial Intelligence for Official Statistics (TTAI) is a global network of experts and practitioners from over 30 countries' national statistical offices (NSOs) with observers from international organisations. The TTAI collaborates, exchanges knowledge and builds practical tools for the responsible and effective use of AI in official statistics. The Task Team focusses particularly on the needs and circumstances of low and middle-income countries, ensuring that the benefits of AI are accessible and sustainable for all national statistical systems.
Objectives of the AI Task Team
- Assess the current state of AI development and adoption in official statistics and share links to tools and applications.
- Identify and document real-world use cases along the data life cycle, highlighting what drives success.
- Review frameworks and governance arrangements for AI in the statistics and data field.
- Facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing between NSOs, researchers, and stakeholders, and promote the ethical use of AI as part of national data strategies.
Key deliverables
Deliverable 1: Catalogue of GenAI use cases in NSOs
The maintenance and improvement of the online and publicly accessible catalogue of use cases (“Catalogue”) containing examples demonstrating how generative AI (GenAI) is being used for official statistics and good practices.
Deliverable 2: AI-Readiness Assessment Toolkit for NSOs
Building upon the working paper and assessment methodology developed in 2025 for AI-readiness of NSOs, the toolkit comprises a guidance document, an Excel scoring tool, and a PowerPoint Action Brief template. The five-step self-assessment is lightweight, NSO-led producing a clear baseline of AI readiness that enables evidence-based conversations with government counterparts, partners and funders. The AI Readiness Self-Assessment: A Practical Guide for NSOs | Paris21
Deliverable 3: Capacity Building Toolkit
A toolkit will be developed under the auspices of the TTAI, focused on capacity building resources for NSOs. The toolkit will include own materials and links to existing materials, as prioritised by the TTAI, such as guidance for NSO leaders and technical staff.
Webinars on AI usages for NSOs
The TTAI is hosting webinars in 2026 on special topics of relevance to the TTAI. The webinars will feature external experts, country presentations and tools relevant for NSOs.
