As AI technologies continue to evolve at breakneck speed, this week, a forward-looking event on AI and human rights was hosted by the UAE Permanent Committee for Human Rights (PCHR) in collaboration with the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) and supported by the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL).
Part of an ongoing series exploring the implementation of human rights globally, the fireside chat entitled “AI and Human Rights – The Ethics of AI” was aimed at providing a first-hand opportunity to consider the relationship between artificial intelligence and human rights.
This included exploring topics such as leveraging AI to advance sustainable development goals, developing governance structures for responsible AI use, and defining ethical frameworks to ensure AI does not exacerbate existing inequalities.
Moderated by Hind Alowais, Director of the PCHR, the fireside chat brought together experts HE Omran Sharaf, the UAE’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, and Shamira Ahmed, Executive Director of the Data Economy Policy Hub (DepHUB), Founder of Artificial Intelligence for Circularity Exchange (AI4CE), and Policy Leader Fellow (PLF) at the European University Institute’s Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG).
While highlighting the potential of AI for global economies, citizens, societies and the planet, the speakers also highlighted the risks of AI governance structures being shaped in a way that leaves communities behind.
As such, ethical AI came into the spotlight at the event, with explorations around the road ahead for forming a global consensus around this model and its implications on human rights and sustainable development.
HE Omran Sharaf, the UAE’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, commented: “The UAE is committed to harnessing the power of AI for the betterment of society, while safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. In line with this, one of our priorities is to work with international and regional partners to place the principles of equality, inclusivity and sustainability at the foundation of global AI governance in the future.”
Shamira Ahmed, Executive Director of the DepHUB, highlighted that global discussion on responsible AI governance will benefit from leveraging the expertise of a diversity of voices, including such as women and marginalised communities, to ensure AI technologies are designed and implemented in ways that “uphold human rights, reduce inequality, support ethical innovation, and safeguard the environment.”