Technology and Human Rights: Artificial Intelligence
There is a possible future in which artificial intelligence drives inequality, inadvertently divides communities, and is even actively used to deny human rights. But there is an alternative future in which the ability of AI to propose solutions to increasingly complex problems is the source of great economic growth, shared prosperity, and the fulfilment of all human rights. This is not a spectator sport. Ultimately it will be the choices of businesses, governments, and individiauls which determines which path humanity takes.
Olly Buston, CEO, Future Advocacy
The field of artificial intelligence (AI), which refers to work processes of machines that would require intelligence if performed by humans, is evolving rapidly and is poised to grow significantly over the coming decade. Proponents believe that the further development of AI creates new opportunities in health, education, and transportation, will generate wealth and strengthen economies, and can be used to solve pressing social issues. Ongoing initiatives are exploring the use of machine learning in human rights investigations, to increase energy efficiency and reduce pollution, and address food insecurity, as a few examples.
On the other hand, replacing human intelligence with machines could fundamentally change the nature of work, resulting in mass job losses and increasing income inequality. Algorithm-based decision-making by companies could also perpetuate human bias and result in discriminatory outcomes, as they already have in some cases. The significant expansion of data collected and analysed may also result in increasing the power of companies with ownership over this data and threaten our right to privacy.
The rapid growth of AI also raises important questions about whether our current policies, legal systems, business due diligence practices, and methods to protect rights are fit for purpose. This section will feature the latest research and various perspectives about the implications of AI for human rights as this field continues to evolve.
Related stories and components
USA: Google won’t bid on $10 billion Pentagon cloud computing deal citing potential conflicts with AI principles
Author: Naomi Nix, Bloomberg
"Google Drops Out of Pentagon's $10 Billion Cloud Competition," 8 October 2018...
- Related in-depth areas: Technology and Human Rights: Artificial Intelligence
- Related companies: Alphabet Amazon.com Google (part of Alphabet) Microsoft
Author: Anita Gurumurthy y Deepti Bharthur
“¿Qué implica la “datificación” para el derecho al desarrollo?”, 27 de septiembre de 2018...
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Commentary: Breakthroughs in technology raise questions about how to realize the right to development & importance of data governance
Author: Anita Gurumurthy & Deepti Bharthur, OpenGlobalRights
"What "datafication" means for the right to development," 27 September 2018...
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Commentary: Artificial intelligence will result in loss of jobs, however the right policy choices can support a more compassionate social contract
Author: Kai-Fu Lee, The Wall Street Journal
"The human promise of the AI revolution," 14 September 2018...
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Commentary: Leveraging the best of human values & ability alongside AI promise greater progress in fairness & accountability
Author: Bernard Shen, OpenGlobalRights
"Mitigating unfair bias in artificial intelligence," 4 September 2018...
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BSR launches human rights-based blueprint for responsible business practice with regard to artificial intelligence
BSR has published three papers describing a human rights-based blueprint for responsible business practice with regard to AI within and beyond the technology sector. These papers explore the importance of a rights-based approach for governing and...
Author: BMAS
"Online-Konsultation zur KI-Strategie gestartet", 30 August 2018...
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Commentary: Toronto Declaration aims to put human rights front & centre in development & application of machine learning technologies
Author: Sherif Elsayed-Ali, OpenGlobalRights
"New human rights principles on artificial intelligence," 15 August 2018...
Google introduces 'Artificial Intelligence principles' that prohibit its use in weapons & human rights abuses
In March 2018, Google announced that it had partnered with the Pentagon on an initiative known as "Project Maven" to help it analyze and interpret drone videos via artificial intelligence. In response, over 4,000 Google employees signed a letter calli...
Global AI Experts sign agreement aimed at avoiding dangers of artificial intelligence
Author: CommonDreams
"World's Artificial Intelligence Experts Sign Pledge Aimed at Averting 'Dystopian Future With Robots Flying Around Killing Everybody'"...
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