Amidst intricate global dynamics characterized by regional conflicts and anthropogenic challenges in 2023, a notable stride occurred in molding the future of human rights. In early October 2023, a joint session hosted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) saw the exploration of the use and governance of AI and related technologies in the Report of the High-Level Committee on Programmes and the High-Level Committee on Management. This undertaking extends the groundwork laid by previous UN initiatives, encompassing the establishment of ethical principles for AI use with a focus on human rights, ecological sustainability, diversity, and inclusiveness.
Addressing the potential of AI, experts recognize the importance of a system-wide normative framework. However, the discourse is evolving, intertwining with the concept of "digital sovereignty." Territorial sovereignty is gradually shifting towards digital sovereignty, raising questions about governance, data accumulation, and the rise of disinformation.
According to legal scholars Karl Manheim and Lyric Kaplan, the deployment of AI tools poses threats to democracy and privacy. Their 2019 Yale Journal of Law and Technology article highlights AI's role in manipulating democratic processes and compromising decisional and informational privacy. The unchecked growth of Big Data Analytics and the Internet of Things raises concerns about privacy, anonymity, and autonomy becoming casualties of AI's influence on economic and political choices.
The current digital landscape witnesses a clash of "digital empires," notably between the US and China. Anu Bradford's study, "Digital Empires" (2023), sheds light on the contrasting approaches. The US adopts a free digital model, emphasizing AI industry freedom, while China leans towards a state-driven regulatory model, invoking concerns about technological success paired with political control. The EU, in turn, promotes a human-centric digital economy, aligning with a human rights-based approach to development.
Despite the technological advancements, questions linger about the future trajectory. Bradford points out that it remains uncertain whether surveillance capitalism, digital authoritarianism, or liberal democratic values will prevail in shaping human engagement in the digital era.
The integration of AI in warfare raises further ethical concerns. Lethal autonomous weapons systems, driven by machine learning, challenge international humanitarian law. The imperative to humanize AI applications, both in civil and military contexts, is emphasized to prevent irreversible consequences.
As we navigate this evolving landscape, the global community faces crucial decisions on AI governance, digital diplomacy, and the ethical dimensions of technological advancements. The balance between progress and safeguarding fundamental values remains a delicate task for policymakers worldwide.
