Tech News Summary:
- Experts are calling for regulatory red lines to be drawn around emerging technologies like AI-based biometric surveillance systems to curb emotional and gender recognition.
- The experts condemned the use of spyware and surveillance technologies on human rights defenders and journalists under the guise of national security and counter-terrorism measures.
- The statement highlights the need for transparency in synthetic media, caution on the use of digital technology in humanitarian crises, and the paramount importance of encryption and privacy protection while holding industries and states accountable for their impacts on human rights, the environment, and society as a whole.
Experts on human rights have warned that regulation is essential to control the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance and disinformation. They issued the warning following a review of the impacts of AI-based technology on civil rights, privacy, and free expression.
The report highlights that the use of AI for mass surveillance can seriously threaten privacy, freedom of expression, and other fundamental human rights. The experts also cautioned that AI-generated disinformation has the potential to undermine democracy and social cohesion.
The adoption of machine learning and other AI technologies has accelerated in recent years, prompting concerns from civil society groups and researchers about their potential impacts. Critics argue that AI-enabled surveillance and disinformation can be used to suppress dissent, target political adversaries, and shape public opinion.
The experts are calling for the development of rules and regulations that will protect human rights while also promoting innovation and economic growth. They suggest that governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector need to collaborate to ensure that AI technologies are fairly and transparently regulated.
The report urges governments to adopt clear and predictable guidelines for AI regulation, establish oversight mechanisms to monitor its use, and promote public awareness and participation in debates on the implications of new technologies.
The experts note that while AI holds great promise in improving people’s lives in many areas, it also poses significant risks for human rights. The report describes a “human rights by design” approach to AI regulation, emphasizing that technology should be developed in ways that respect and protect human dignity, freedom, and autonomy.
The experts warn that ignoring the human rights implications of AI-based technology risks entrenching oppression and injustice. They call on governments and other stakeholders to prioritize human rights in the development and deployment of AI, and to create environments where innovation and human rights can thrive in harmony.