Technology, in its relentless march forward, significantly impacts human rights. Its evolution harbours transformative potential, enabling the human rights agenda to expand. For instance, satellite data can track displaced populations, artificial intelligence aids in recognising images of abuse, and forensic methods reconstruct scenes of injustice, ensuring accountability for atrocities committed.
Conversely, emerging technologies also pose threats to human rights, from authoritarian regimes utilising surveillance tools against dissenters, to the spread of “deepfakes” creating strife within democratic discourse. These ethical and policy-oriented concerns must be addressed to safeguard the integrity of human rights amidst rapid technologic advancement.
New dimensions emerge within this landscape, particularly with artificial intelligence’s rise. Historically, human rights focused on state roles; now, collaboration with technology and business leaders is crucial to navigate this evolving terrain. The complexity of this interaction signals a shift in how rights and justice are perceived and facilitated.
The Carr-Ryan Center’s Technology and Human Rights Program encapsulates this dialogue, engaging the Technology and Human Rights Fellowship with a fresh cohort each academic year to tackle the challenges posed by technology. Their stake in ethics is examined in the ongoing webinar series, “Towards Life 3.0: Ethics and Technology in the 21st Century,” which features diverse voices in technology and academia discussing AI’s long-term impacts.
A newly focused theme within the fellowship scrutinises the inquiry, “Surveillance Capitalism or Democracy: Who Knows, Who Decides?” Their research ties into Shoshana Zuboff’s influential work, “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism,” and Mathias Risse’s “Political Theory of the Digital Age,” both crucial for understanding contemporary dilemmas in governance and personal freedoms.
The fellowship boasts distinguished fellows including Linda Bonyo from the Lawyers Hub, Ann Kristen Glenster of Glenlead Centre, and Julia-Silvana Hofstetter of ICT4Peace Foundation, among others. Each contributes unique perspectives,.highlighting the multifaceted nature of technology and human rights.
Additionally, original insights arise from these fellows, such as investigations into how algorithms in automated decision-making can reinforce societal disparities. Furthermore, thought leaders like Beth Noveck share visions on AI’s potential to redefine governance, offering hope for bolstered democratic frameworks in a technology-driven future.
Technological advancements significantly impact human rights, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Revolutionising surveillance and accountability, technology also risks undermining rights through authoritarian abuse. The emergence of new actors, especially in tech, complicates the traditional state-centric human rights narrative, necessitating collaboration across sectors. The Carr-Ryan Center’s fellowship aims to research these challenges and facilitate essential discussions on ethics and democracy in the age of technology.
In conclusion, technology and human rights are inextricably linked, with advancements offering both opportunities and challenges. While technological tools enhance human rights efforts, the looming threats posed by misuse necessitate a vigilant and coordinated approach involving multiple sectors. Understanding and addressing these dynamics will be crucial in shaping a just society in the digital age.
Original Source: www.hks.harvard.edu
