Consultant(Culture-Cultivating Inclusive and Sustainable AI Policy for the Creative Sector CULTURAI)

Organizational Context

CULTURAI (Cultivating Inclusive and Sustainable AI Policy for the Creative Sector) is a Horizon Europe project examining AI's impacts and governance in cultural and creative sectors. It addresses challenges like lack of evidence, limited access to AI tools, insufficient AI literacy, and absence of inclusive governance frameworks. UNESCO contributes global AI governance expertise, cultural policy knowledge, and normative frameworks, including the 2005 Convention and the 2021 Recommendation on AI Ethics.

Job Purpose

UNESCO seeks a Research Consultant to conduct a Comparative Review of AI Governance Frameworks and support CULTURAI's evidence base and policy outputs. This role involves in-depth analysis of AI governance structures across various jurisdictions, focusing on their implications for the cultural and creative industries. The consultant will work under the supervision of the UNESCO AI Focal Point for the Culture Sector, collaborating closely with the CULTURAI consortium to ensure the project's objectives are met. The consultancy aims to enhance understanding and inform policy development regarding AI's role in fostering inclusive and sustainable cultural ecosystems.

Responsibilities

The consultant will lead the Comparative Review of AI Governance Frameworks (WP9), conducting desk research and analysis across seven jurisdictions (EU, US, UK, Australia, South Korea, Brazil, South Africa). This includes mapping national AI laws, regulatory strategies, and sector-specific measures for cultural and creative industries (CCIs) and GLAM institutions. The review will assess how jurisdictions address AI ethics, intellectual property, labour rights, cultural diversity, data governance, and access to AI tools for smaller organizations. The consultant will identify mitigation strategies for data scarcity and algorithmic bias, and examine alternative platform structures. Structured AI policy profiles for each jurisdiction will be produced, covering hard and soft law, and enforcement mechanisms. Input from partner institutions will be coordinated. Additionally, the consultant will provide technical advice on the pan-European Survey on AI Impact, contribute to cultural policy measurement and comparative research methodologies, attend consortium meetings, and submit progress reports and inputs for project reporting cycles.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience is necessary, including demonstrated experience in comparative policy analysis or regulatory research, preferably in AI, digital governance, or culture. Proven ability to produce high-quality research reports and at least two years of project management experience are essential.

Skills

Essential skills include strong writing and communication abilities, robust analytical skills in comparative law and policy research, and a solid understanding of AI governance frameworks and the international regulatory landscape. Familiarity with cultural and creative industries policy, intellectual property rights, and cultural diversity frameworks is important. The ability to synthesize complex legal and policy texts across multiple languages and jurisdictions is also required.

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