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​Protecting human rights in the era of artificial intelligence

Graphic: Human Rights Commissioner Ed Santow

The Australian Human Rights Commission has launched a major three-year project examining technology and human rights.

The Australian Human Rights Commission has launched a major three-year project examining technology and human rights.

The project was launched at the Human Rights and Technology conference in Sydney, attended by more than 400 people from industry, government and the community.

Keynote addresses were delivered by Dr Alan Finkel, Australia's Chief Scientist; Kathy Baxter, Research Architect at Salesforce; Steve Crown, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Microsoft Corporation; and Aza Raskin, Co-Founder of the US Center for Humane Technology.

Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow said artificial intelligence, facial recognition, global data markets and other technological developments pose unprecedented challenges to privacy, freedom of expression and equality.

"Human rights must shape the future these incredible innovations have made possible," he said.

"We must seize the opportunities technology presents but also guard against threats to our rights and the potential for entrenched inequality and disadvantage."

Mr Santow launched an Issues Paper which asks how Australian law should protect human rights in the development and use of new technologies.

It asks what protections are needed when AI is used in decisions that affect our basic rights – in areas as diverse as insurance, social media and the criminal justice system.

It also invites ideas on how we can make technology more inclusive of our diverse community.

"This starts the conversation the Commission will have with industry, government, academia and civil society over the coming months.

"Working collaboratively, we will develop a practical roadmap for reform in Australia," Mr Santow said.

A discussion paper will be published in early 2019 and a final report and recommendations will be delivered in late 2019.

More information about the Project and the Issues Paper is available from https://tech.humanrights.gov.au/consultation.

Date: 24 July 2018

Source: Australian Human Rights Commission


Image credits

  1. Human Rights Commissioner Ed Santow - Australian Human Rights Commission