Helping low and middle-
income countries to harness innovative data tools
Task Team on AI
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.
Gender Data Lab
In collaboration with UNDP and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)'s Data4Policy initiative, PARIS21 created a Gender Data Lab (GDL): a dedicated in-government structure to speed up the collection, analysis and use of gender data with innovative methods. The GDL brings together national statistical offices (NSOs) and policy makers to weave gender data and innovation into policies, ensuring they are gender responsive.
PARIS21 guidance on integrating digitalisation and innovation into NSS
The AI Readiness Self-Assessment
This guide introduces the AI Readiness SPEEDometer, a structured self-assessment toolkit designed by the Task Team on AI for Official Statistics (TTAI) to help NSO leadership and technical teams gauge and strengthen their preparedness for AI in an evidence-based, pragmatic manner. Built on the SPEED framework, evaluating five domains of readiness: State, Policy, Expertise, Engine (Data and Infrastructure), and Delivery, the toolkit comprises this guidance document, an Excel scoring tool, and a PowerPoint Action Brief template. English | French | Spanish
Towards AI-Ready National Statistical Offices: A Framework for Strengthening NSO Capacity in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Centred on the new SPEED Framework - State, Policy, Expertise, Engine and Delivery - the paper explains what AI readiness means for NSOs, why it is vital for their success, and how it evolves through realistic maturity levels. It lays out sequenced actions, quick wins and longer term reforms, backed by international examples and a clear call for partnerships. The paper also introduces the forthcoming AI Readiness Assessment Toolkit, designed to help NSOs benchmark progress and prioritise investments in order to effectively leverage AI. Together, these tools support a safe, inclusive and sustainable path to modern official statistics. English
Enhancing the Availability of Quality Data for Policymaking Using AI
Data producers, including national statistics offices (NSOs) and ministries, face an increasing demand for
timely and disaggregated data that allows for targeted government interventions where they are most
needed. This growing concern highlights the need to support the development of countries’ data capacities to enable them to meet the demand for information from different users. In this context, AI solutions provide opportunities to make data production processes more efficient, make data more accessible, and support the use of data in policymaking cycles. English | French | Spanish
AI through the lens of official statistics and the SDGs: What are the benefits and risks?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on people’s lives is growing rapidly. AI is already leading to significant developments from healthcare to education, which can contribute to the efficient monitoring and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a call to action to address the world’s greatest challenges. AI is also raising concerns because, if not addressed carefully, its risks may outweigh its benefits. English
Guide on Geospatial Data Integration in Official Statistics
National geospatial integration agencies can provide detailed, timely and relevant data about people, businesses, buildings, infrastructures, agriculture, natural resources and anthropogenic impacts on the biosphere. There is a clear benefit to integrating geospatial data into traditional national statistical systems. Together they provide a very clear picture of the social, economic and environmental issues that underpin sustainable development and allow for more informed policy making. But the question is where to start? This publication by PARIS21 and Statistics Sweden provides a practical guide, based on five principles for national statistics offices to form stronger partnerships with national geospatial integration agencies. English
