Technological advancements play a crucial role in shaping the future of human rights. As these innovations unfold, they have the potential to enhance the human rights agenda by utilizing tools like satellite data to track displaced individuals, artificial intelligence for detecting rights violations through images, and forensic tech to investigate crimes more accurately and hold offenders accountable.
However, the same technologies that promote human rights can also pose significant threats. Authoritarian regimes may employ surveillance technologies to suppress dissent, while emerging phenomena like deepfakes can manipulate information and destabilize democratic discourse. It is essential to consider the ethical implications of these advancements amidst their rapid development.
The landscape of human rights is evolving, introducing new players into the framework. While states have traditionally been viewed as the primary protectors of rights, today’s technological advancements and the rise of AI and machine learning require collaboration with stakeholders from business and technology sectors.
The Carr Center’s Technology and Human Rights Program is at the forefront of this dialogue, incorporating the Technology and Human Rights Fellowship to encourage research on the challenges technology poses to human rights. The program also features the “Towards Life 3.0: Ethics and Technology in the 21st Century” webinar series, discussing the long-term ethical impacts of AI on society.
A fresh theme emerging within the fellowship focuses on surveillance capitalism and democracy, as outlined in Shoshana Zuboff’s influential book, “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism”. This segment is co-directed by Zuboff and Mathias Risse, connecting fellows’ projects with contemporary research to critically analyze who controls technology’s impact on society.
The fellowship boasts a diverse cohort of outstanding professionals, including Linda Bonyo, founder of the Lawyers Hub, and Julia-Silvana Hofstetter from the ICT4Peace Foundation. These forward-thinking individuals drive projects aimed at addressing the intersection of technology and human rights, striving to make strides in this vital field.
Fellow Beth Noveck highlighted how automated algorithms can unintentionally perpetuate social inequalities, reminding us of the complexities and responsibilities accompanying technological progress. The ongoing “Towards Life 3.0” webinars feature discussions that explore AI’s potential to transform governance and bolster democratic practices.
Technological advancements significantly influence human rights, offering tools to monitor violations and aid victims. However, they also pose threats from authoritarian surveillance and misinformation. The Carr Center’s program fosters collaboration between diverse sectors to navigate these challenges, while its fellowship promotes research on pivotal topics like surveillance capitalism. Ultimately, both progress and vigilant oversight are crucial in managing the impact of technology on human rights.
In summary, the interplay between technology and human rights presents both promising advancements and daunting challenges. While technological developments can drive the human rights agenda forward, they also raise critical ethical questions, especially regarding surveillance and power dynamics. As the landscape evolves, collaboration among technologists, businesses, and government remains essential for ensuring technology serves as a tool for empowerment rather than oppression.
Original Source: www.hks.harvard.edu
