About the DASH Team

What is the DASH Team on AI for Official Statistics?

The DASH Team on Artificial Intelligence for Official Statistics is a regional group convened by ESCAP to support national statistical systems in Asia and the Pacific as they explore and adopt AI in official statistics.

The team’s mandate includes:

  • documenting regional experiences of AI use in official statistics (approaches, challenges, and lessons learned);
  • organising Stats Cafés and other peer-learning events; and
  • developing practical guidance products, including a regional Playbook or Stats Brief.

You can read more in the team’s Terms of Reference:
- DASH Team Terms of Reference (PDF)

Why a regional case study repository?

While global initiatives already document examples of AI in official statistics, existing collections tend to have a predominantly European focus and do not yet reflect the diversity of contexts, capacities, and use cases emerging across Asia and the Pacific.

The DASH team members therefore decided to collect regional experiences using a dedicated template, to help ensure contributions are comparable and useful for peer learning and establish an Asia-Pacific repository in order to:

  • Supporting peer learning: A common structure makes it easier to compare approaches, identify shared challenges, and learn from one another.
  • Reflecting regional needs: The template can capture issues particularly relevant for the region, including diverse data ecosystems, varying digital maturity, and whole-of-government partnerships.
  • Ensuring responsible and ethical use: Systematically documenting governance considerations (privacy, bias, accountability, transparency) supports better practice.
  • Clarifying the investment case: Capturing rationale, costs, benefits, feasibility, and skills helps leadership understand what’s involved and where returns are strongest.
  • Capturing successes and challenges: Ensuring learning includes initiatives that did not progress as expected as well as those that succeeded.

How to contribute a case study

We invite National Statistical Offices and other producers of official statistics across Asia and the Pacific to share ongoing or completed AI-related initiatives. This may include pilot projects, research activities, operational applications, or exploratory work undertaken within an NSO or in collaboration with other government agencies, ministries, or academic institutions.

Stats Cafés and recordings

The DASH Team also supports peer exchange through the Asia-Pacific Stats Café series. Recordings and materials are available on the event pages: