Since the launch of the Secretary-General's 2021 Guidance Note on Behavioural Science (BeSci), interest and initiatives in the area have expanded across the UN. BeSci has become part of the "Quintet of Change" for UN 2.0, highlighting its importance for the organisation's future.
These efforts are led by the UN Behavioural Science Group, an initiative of the Executive Office of the UN Secretary-General and UN Innovation Network. The Group connects over 7,000 members from the UN and beyond, spanning 70+ UN Entities and 150+ countries, fostering collaboration among UN Entities, academia, and Member States.
BeSci at the UN
BeSci helps us understand what drives people's actions — and what gets in the way. This is key to making policies and programmes more effective. With advances in AI and digital technologies, it is now possible for BeSci to be applied with greater speed, scale, and contextual nuance.
BeSci at the STI Forum 2025
As part of the UN Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Forum, this session will convene experts from the UN, government, and academia to explore how behavioural science and AI can be combined to design inclusive technologies, enable equitable deployment, and drive meaningful progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The discussion will showcase practical applications, reflect on what changes may be needed within the UN to scale impact, and consider potential risks to ensure responsible, people-centred use of AI and digital tools.
Advancing Behavioural Science & AI for Development
UN Science, Technology & Innovation Forum
Virtual Side Event
8 May, 2025
9 AM ET/3 PM CET
Who can attend?
This event is free of charge and open to all. Events organised by the UN Behavioural Science Group have in the past attracted attendance and attention from thousands of UN colleagues as well as representatives from governments, academia, civil society, NGOs and the private sector.
Thematic areas include:
Exploring concrete, real-world applications at the intersection of behavioural science and AI to advance inclusive and effective development outcomes.
Identifying opportunities for systemic change within the UN to advance BeSci and AI, including new models for innovation and cross-sector partnerships.
Examining the ethical, operational, reputational risks of applying BeSci and AI in development with diverse populations - and what the UN should consider to ensure equity, accountability, and trust.
Michael Muthukrishna
Professor of Economic Psychology
London School of Economics
Niyati Malhotra
Program Manager
World Bank
Speakers:
Han Sheng Chia
Policy Fellow
Center for Global Development
Creating a moment of change:
The event will bring together thought leaders from the United Nations and the fields of behavioural science, AI, and digital innovation to explore how these approaches can be integrated to enhance the UN’s work.