Human Rights & Artificial Intelligence in World Perspective

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a promising technology that offers many opportunities to drive innovation, competitiveness and productivity. Both at national and international level, substantial investments are being made in this technology. However, how can AI be used optimally when discussions about its culutral, social and political impact have not yet been completed and the use of AI raises all kinds of questions? On Thursday 11 April, ECP, in collaboration with NL IGF and the Municipality of The Hague, will organize the meeting Human Rights & Artificial Intelligence in World Perspective. During the meeting we will discuss the (international) policy aspects of the application of AI and data from the perspective of international human rights: equal treatment, human dignity, right to interpretation, non-discrimination and the right to privacy. With contributions from among others the human rights ambassador Marriët Schuurman, Arjan El Fassed (Google) and Judith Alkema en Sophie de Maat (Wageningen University, she carried out an assignment for the UN on the responsible use of AI). The moderator is Lousewies van der Laan.

Human Rights & Artificial Intelligence in World Perspective

Date: 11 April 2019 Time: 14.30 hrs registration | 15.00-17.00 hrs Location: Humanity House, Den Haag (Prinsegracht 8)

Background information

China and America take the lead and invest several billion euros annually in AI. Similarly, the United Nations pays a lot of attention to a worldwide responsible AI Strategy and Europe is committed to a strategy based on a ‘human centric’ approach. The Netherlands is also trying to differentiate itself through a sectoral approach and the formation of an AI research ecosystem. Furthermore, with the AINED initiative, the Netherlands has already taken the first steps that are now being built on. However, how can the opportunities offered by AI be used optimally worldwide to tackle social issues, if at the same time discussions about the cultural, social and political impact have not yet been completed and raise all kinds of questions? Is the answer at the national level in how governments and corporates guarantee social norms and values and human rights, both in terms of policy and in the application of AI? Do we need to think differently about fundamental rights such as “equal treatment” in the Digital Age? What do cultural or interpretation differences in terms such as ’transparency’ and ‘interpretability’ mean when AI makes decisions about the legislation that applies to citizens, such as whether or not to grant benefits via an algorithm? Does the use of data lead to new forms of discrimination or may it exacerbate (unintended) cultural and social inequalities? In short, a whole range of diverse questions that we would like to discuss with you on 11 April. We look forward to seeing you on 11 April!