Eight global technology companies including Microsoft and Mastercard on Monday pledged at a forum in Slovenia to build 'more ethical' AI in accordance with UNESCO's framework of principles.

The deal comes after UNESCO in 2021 adopted its Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, which is based on "the promotion and protection of human rights, human dignity, and ensuring diversity and inclusiveness".

The other six signatory firms were GSMA, the Lenovo Group, INNIT, LG AI Research, Salesforce and Telefonica.