Session
Organizer 1: Hlengiwe Dube, Centre for Human Rights,University of Pretoria
Organizer 2: Thobekile Adebayo , Paradigm Initiative
Organizer 3: Adebayo Okeowo, Witness
Speaker 1: Hlengiwe Dube, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 2: Thobekile Adebayo , Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 3: Adebayo Okeowo, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 4: Emma Ruttkamp, Technical Community, African Group
Hlengiwe Dube, Civil Society, African Group
Tomiwa Ilori, Civil Society, African Group
Thobekile Adebayo , Civil Society, African Group
Panel - Auditorium - 90 Min
Policy Question(s): What are the key regulatory issues on AI and human rights in Africa? What are the issues, challenges and opportunities presented by AI and other emerging technologies in the African context? What is the role of the treaty monitoring bodies?
Connection with previous Messages: This session advances the discussion of AI regulation and AI implications of human rights in an african context. It explores how the continent can harness the benefits of AI without compromising humanity.
16.6
Targets: It is anticipated that the study by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' (ACHPR) Rights and subsequent measures that the ACHPR would adopt would contribute to accountability and transparency at the level of institutions in the deployment of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, so that human rights are strengthened rather than compromised.
Description:
Africa is slowly catching up in the deployment of AI and other emerging technologies. Eventually, it will be embedded in all aspects of life as technologies become more accessible in Africa. The real and potential benefits of AI in enhancing human capacity are many and Africa envisages to benefit immensely from it, bearing in mind the human rights and ethical concerns that characterise the AI deployment. Thus, there is a need for robust regulatory mechanisms, which are the current challenge in Africa. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) adopted Resolution 473 on the need to undertake a study on human and peoples’ rights and artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and other new and emerging technologies in Africa. It is anticipated that the ACHPR, based on the findings and recommendations of the study, will adopt the relevant human rights instrument that will provide the necessary guidance in ensuring the development and use of AI, robotics and other new and emerging technologies in Africa is compatible with the rights and duties in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other regional and international human rights instruments. This session will introduce the study that the ACHPR is undertaking and bring out some of the regulatory and ethical gaps, challenges and vulnerabilities. The session will consider the intersection between human rights and AI and other emerging technologies in Africa, the current status of regulation, and role of the ACHPR and other human rights treaty bodies in africa. We believe that as the continental human rights body, the ACHPR should guide states as the duty bearers on ethical deployment of AI and emerging technologies in a manner that respects human rights. It should monitor and encourage state and other stakeholders to adopt and review all regulations on AI and ensure human rights compliance.
The session is envisioned to raise awareness of the ACHPR study on human and peoples’ rights and artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and other new and emerging technologies in Africa. It is anticipated that the findings and recommendations of the study will guide the ACHPR in adopting the relevant standards setting documents that will guide states on human rights based approaches to AI and other emerging technologies.
The objective of the session is fivefold:
Presenting the AI study and presenting initial findings;
Examine the intersections between AI and right human rights;
Outlining key regulatory challenges that are associated with deployment of AI;
Review the current regulatory landscape in Africa and assess its adequacy ; and
Provide initial recommendations for a human rights approach to AI in Africa
The key outcomes are as follows: outcomes are as follows:1. Increased awareness of the findings of the study; 2. Key recommendations on ways to better address the challenges and gaps and 3. Commitments from the ACHPR on guidance to States on human rights-based approaches AI and other emerging technologies
Hybrid Format: n/a
Usage of IGF Official Tool.