In the 59th session of the Human Rights Council on Thursday, the United Nations (UN) Working Group on Business and Human Rights said it must warn that procurement and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) systems by states and businesses comply with international human rights standards and that if they do not do so, it could lead to serious human rights violations.
UN experts pointed to a significant increase in the procurement and deployment of AI systems across the public and private sectors around the world. They presented a report detailing the importance of adopting the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights as the basis for regulating AI, warning that without an appropriate regulatory framework and due diligence, AI use could lead to human rights, discrimination, privacy violations, and restraints of freedom of speech. Experts urged both the public and private sectors to conduct human rights assessments on the impact of AI and to ensure transparency and accountability in the event of violations.
Looking at the legal framework, experts observed that while some countries have enacted binding laws on AI and its potential threats, current regulatory frameworks, such as the European Union's artificial intelligence law, are fragmented and lacked a unified standard and definition.
The report provided recommendations for integrating the UN's guiding principles into the regulation, procurement and deployment of AI by states, businesses and other stakeholders. For governing bodies, the UN Group recommended the implementation of legal and policy frameworks on AI that adhere to human rights approaches. This includes banning AI systems that are incompatible with human rights, such as those used for large-scale surveillance, real-time facial recognition, and predictive policing. Additionally, states need to promote cooperation in AI governance and secure representatives in the global South. In the case of human rights abuse, experts advised the state to provide access to judicial and nonjudicial remedies.
For businesses, UN experts emphasized the importance of implementing strict human rights due diligence and establishing an accessible complaint handling mechanism for individuals affected by AI-related abuse.
The rapid evolution of AI and its benefits have led to widespread use in a variety of areas, including defense and communication. However, this utility poses serious challenges regarding the impact of AI on the rule of law, ethics and human rights. In April, UN experts expressed concern about the misuse of AI in armed conflicts and called for a slower development. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights also warned of spreading disinformation and limiting freedom of the press on the risks of weaponizing AI.
These challenges sparked debate about the potential harm that AI has to do to society, including its impact on the judicial system, political opinions, information integrity, and personal data privacy. One proposed response to address these growing challenges is to create special regulations that allow for effective governance of AI without hampering technological innovation.
