Doha: Organized by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), preparations are all set for the international conference 'Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights: Opportunities, Risks, and Visions for a Better Future,' commencing Tuesday and running for two days.
According to Qatar News Agency, the event will be held in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), and Qatar Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and National Cyber Security Agency, along with other international entities active in the fields of digital tools and technology.
The conference is expected to bring together around 800 partners from around the world to discuss the future of globalization. Target attendees include government officials, policymakers, AI and technology experts, human rights defenders and activists, legal professionals, AI ethics specialists, civil society representatives, academics and researchers, international organizations, private sector companies, and technology developers.
Through panel discussions and working groups, the event aims to explore the dual nature of AI as both a tool for progress and a potential challenge to human rights and democracy. It is expected to serve as an important platform to shape a balanced future vision of the relationship between technological development and human rights, ensuring the optimal use of AI capabilities while preserving fundamental human values and protecting rights and freedoms.
The conference is built around 12 core themes and key topics. It focuses on the foundations of artificial intelligence, including fundamental concepts such as machine learning and natural language processing. It also addresses AI and privacy, its impact on personal data, surveillance, and privacy rights. Other themes include bias and discrimination, with an emphasis on addressing algorithmic bias and ensuring fairness, as well as freedom of expression and the role of AI in content moderation, censorship, and the protection of free speech.
The international conference aims to explore the impact of AI on human rights and fundamental freedoms, analyze the opportunities and risks associated with AI from a human rights perspective, present best practices and standards for the ethical use of AI, and engage with policymakers, technology experts, civil society, and the private sector to foster multi-stakeholder dialogue. It also seeks to propose actionable policy and legal framework recommendations to ensure that AI development aligns with human rights principles.
Main sessions will feature high-level keynote speeches from senior leaders of relevant organizations to set the stage, followed by panel discussions focused on specific topics. These panels will include a diverse group of speakers with expertise in technology, ethics, law, and human rights. In addition, case study presentations from organizations, companies, and researchers will highlight instances where the use of AI has had either a positive or negative impact on human rights.
Participating experts will address the legal and ethical frameworks, laws, policies, and ethical standards for the responsible use of artificial intelligence. They will also explore the theme of "AI and Security," including issues related to militarization, armed conflicts, and the protection of human rights. Additionally, the conference will examine AI and democracy, focusing on the role of AI in shaping democratic institutions and promoting inclusive participation.
Conference participants will also discuss artificial intelligence and the future of media from a human rights-based perspective, with a focus on both risks and innovation. The conference will further examine the transformations brought about by AI in employment and job opportunities, its impact on labor rights and economic inequality, as well as the associated challenges and prospects.