The Intersection of Human Rights and Artificial Intelligence: Opening the pandora box

Introduction

In the age of globalization and technology it seems human rights will be at the lower rung of the ladder as innovations are happening at scary rate. Questions have been asked and will continue being asked on the place of human rights in modernization and emerging advanced technology and rightfully these questions seek answers as to the true state of things in a global world where the urge to solve societal challenges with tech and Artificial intelligence overwhelms respect for human rights implications.

Artificial intelligence permeates almost sector of social strata. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance and evolve, questions arise about how it will impact human rights. AI has the potential to greatly enhance our lives, but it also has the potential to violate basic human rights such as privacy, non-discrimination, and freedom of expression.

Areas of Human Rights infractions by AI

i. Bias

One area of proper concern is the use of AI in decision-making processes. For example, some financial organizations use AI algorithms in its loan eligibility process, determine who is credit worthy and who gets approved for loans. If these algorithms are biased, they can perpetuate discrimination against certain groups of people. It is important to ensure that AI systems are designed and tested to be fair and unbiased. Also, AI systems deployed for employment purposes can exhibit bias against gender by given preference to a particular group at the detriment of the other.

ii. Privacy

Another grey area of concern is the use of AI in surveillance. Governments and companies are using AI-powered surveillance systems to monitor the society in pursuit of societal security, and this can violate peoples? right to privacy. It is important to establish clear guidelines and regulations around the use of AI in surveillance to protect people?s privacy and prevent government abuse of power. Also, AI systems are trained on data and these data are obtained without owner?s permission or consent. Also, most social media platforms obtain data of its users and store same for training their AI system without the knowledge of these users. This results to high level of data and privacy breach.

iii. Exclusion of Marginalized Group

Everyone is deemed equal and deserve equal opportunities and inclusion. Marginalization of any kind is an infraction of human rights. Every innovation deepens the exclusion gap in marginalized communities hence AI increases the ever-existing technology gap and inequality as well as accessibility. These marginalized groups are excluded from AI conversations, development and innovations.

Challenges of Accountability

The issue of accountability brings about a new discuss on this spectrum of intersection between AI and human rights. As AI systems become more complex and autonomous, it becomes more difficult to determine who is responsible when a wrong is occasioned by such. It is crucial to establish clear lines of responsibility and accountability for AI systems to ensure that individuals and organizations can be held accountable either from the development or deployment of AI systems. The crux of responsibility must be settled to place burden on whom AI systems failure should be placed on. This will aid ensure strict adherence to safety measures and thus lead to responsible and human cantered AI deployment.

Intersection of Human Rights and AI

Human rights and AI can be intertwined to achieve a more societal friendly AI innovation. If an innovation and technology is human driven, it?s deployment will be devoid of human vices and will enhance human development instead of ruin it. The place of intersection between Human rights and AI is in ensuring that human rights are not infringed by AI systems and innovations and at the same time AI systems being built to enhance human rights. This can only be achieved if ethical guidelines are enshrined in the design, development and deployment process of AI systems.

The Place of Ethical and Responsible AI

Ethical and responsible AI would help address these concerns over whether human rights can be violated by the deployment of AI systems. This is more so as ethical guidelines will help regulate use of AI systems from the process of development, testing as well as at the time of deployment for end use to ensure that bias and possible ethical issues are addressed and AI systems tested to be human right friendly and ethics compliant.

Conclusion

The linkage between human rights and Artificial intelligence is integral if AI systems are to outlive the innovative euphoria. AI systems are designed to solve man?s challenges and make tasks easier and faster. Hence, they must adhere to human rights standards else risk global rejection borne out of fear of its negative threat to humanity and man?s common existence. Human rights can be a foundation that can ease AI adoption and global acceptance. If they accentuate respect for human rights, AI can become one of the greatest benefit to humanity.