Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence and human rights

The development and use of AI must be transparent, accountable, and work in public interest. Deploying AI and automated decision-making, without adequate safeguards, checks and balances can facilitate human rights violations, exacerbate existing societal power imbalances, and create new risks, disproportionately affecting marginalized people and communities. We urge governments and companies to develop and enforce global AI governance frameworks that are binding, enforceable, and rooted in human rights law.

Mapping the risks of emerging biometric and AI technology

Why human rights must be at the core of AI governance

Civil society has been consistently advocating for human rights-centric AI governance. But this effort is under threat from several angles; and with it, any chance of achieving a reality in which AI development serves people, instead of surveilling and exploiting them.

SPOTLIGHT: EU AI ACT

Image: AI's human rights impact

Artificial Intelligence

The EU AI Act: a failure for human rights, a victory for industry and law enforcement

Loopholes and exemptions: the EU has voted to adopt an AI Act that fails to protect people from harm.

AI Act

Artificial Intelligence

The EU AI Act proposal: a timeline

A summary of our proposed amendments to the draft EU AI Act and a timeline of our related commentary and recommendations.

AI Action Summit

Artificial Intelligence

The EU AI Act: How to (truly) protect people on the move

The EU AI Act is supposed to protect the rights of everyone impacted by AI systems. But it ignores the systems impacting people on the move. Here are three steps policymakers can take to fix that problem.

AI Action Summit

Artificial Intelligence

The EU needs an Artificial Intelligence Act that protects fundamental rights

Access Now and over 110 civil society organisations have laid out proposals to make sure the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act addresses the real-world impacts of the use of artificial intelligence.

AI Action Summit

Artificial Intelligence

The EU should regulate AI on the basis of rights, not risks

Artificial intelligence and automated decision-making systems threaten our fundamental rights. Yet the EU is considering an approach to AI regulation that would substitute rights-based protections for a mere risk mitigation exercise by corporations with a vested interest in these systems. Here’s why that’s a grave mistake.

RESOURCES

AI Action Summit

Artificial Intelligence

AI Action Summit: a missed opportunity for human-rights centered AI governance 

The development of the proposed GDPR Procedural Regulation represents a missed opportunity to address enforcement challenges.

Reporte regional de politicas de regulacion a la IA Header

Artificial Intelligence

Access Now revela radiografía del panorama legislativo de la Inteligencia Artificial en América Latina

Access Now lanza el reporte “Radiografía Normativa: ¿Dónde, qué y cómo se está regulando la inteligencia artificial en América Latina?”

Ceasefire in Gaza

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Genocidal Intelligence: how Israel is automating human rights abuses and war crimes 

Israel’s war on Gaza has revealed how mundane, unsophisticated AI surveillance systems are being used to unleash the most dystopian, tech-driven horrors on Palestinians.

AI Action Summit

Artificial Intelligence

Generative AI and election disinformation: much ado about nothing? 

In this bumper “year of elections,” alarm bells are being raised about the potential impact of generative AI in worsening election disinformation. But is this really the democratic disaster many are making it out to be, or is it a lot of fuss over nothing?

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Artificial Intelligence

Computers are binary, people are not: how AI systems undermine LGBTQ identity

Most of us interact with some sort of Artificial Intelligence (AI) system several times a day, whether it’s using the predictive text function on our phones or applying a selfie

Protect Not Surveil

Artificial Intelligence

Joint statement – A dangerous precedent: how the EU AI Act fails migrants and people on the move

The EU AI Act falls short in the vital area of migration, failing to prevent harm and provide protection for people on the move.

Reconocimiento facial

Artificial Intelligence

Instead of banning facial recognition, some governments in Latin America want to make it official

Buenos Aires, Brasilia, and Uruguay are pushing for use of facial recognition systems for “public security,” seeking to authorize the invasive and harmful use of mass surveillance tools. Civil society must fight back.

AI Action Summit

Artificial Intelligence

Human rights and justice must be at the heart of the upcoming Commission guidelines on the AI Act implementation

This statement was written by the AI Act civil society and the #ProtectNotSurveil coalitions following the EU Commission consultation on the AI Act.

AI Action Summit

Artificial Intelligence

What you need to know about generative AI and human rights

Generative AI has been all over the headlines. But what are the human rights implications? Get the facts in our generative AI FAQ.

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Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence: what are the issues for digital rights?

You may have a basic understanding of what AI is. But are you familiar with the issues it raises for your fundamental rights?

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Artificial Intelligence

Fighting systemic racism in the digital age: a global challenge

On Human Rights Day of 2020, we highlight the mandate of E. Tendayi Achiume, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to fight systematic racism.

Myanmar CCTV camera

Digital Security

Track and target: FAQ on Myanmar CCTV cameras and facial recognition

The military junta in Myanmar is rolling out China-made CCTV cameras with facial recognition capabilities to intensify surveillance against the people.

QUICK DIGEST: Risks of the emerging AI and biometrics tech

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Latest Updates

Bodily harms: how AI and biometrics curtail human rights PR header
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

Comments on MeitY’s report on AI governance guidelines

11 Mar 2025

Access Now’s comments on the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY) report on AI governance guidelines.

Publication
Comments on MeitY’s report on AI governance guidelines
11 Mar 2025
Comments on MeitY’s report on AI governance guidelines
UN Global Digital Compact
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

Submission to the UN on the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and Global Dialogue on AI Governance

20 Feb 2025

Access Now’s submission on the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and Global Dialogue on AI Governance.

Publication
Submission to the UN on the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and Global Dialogue on AI Governance
20 Feb 2025
Submission to the UN on the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and Global Dialogue on AI Governance
AI Action Summit
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

AI Action Summit: a missed opportunity for human-rights centered AI governance 

14 Feb 2025

The development of the proposed GDPR Procedural Regulation represents a missed opportunity to address enforcement challenges.

Press Release
AI Action Summit: a missed opportunity for human-rights centered AI governance 
14 Feb 2025
AI Action Summit: a missed opportunity for human-rights centered AI governance 
AI Action Summit
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

Kamery na školách porušujú práva detí, sú nebezpečné aj nelegálne, myslia si odborníci

6 Feb 2025
News
Kamery na školách porušujú práva detí, sú nebezpečné aj nelegálne, myslia si odborníci
Aktuality ↗
6 Feb 2025
Kamery na školách porušujú práva detí, sú nebezpečné aj nelegálne, myslia si odborníci
Bodily harms: how AI and biometrics curtail human rights PR header
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

EU pushes ahead with enforcing AI Act despite Donald Trump warnings

6 Feb 2025
News
EU pushes ahead with enforcing AI Act despite Donald Trump warnings
Financial Times ↗
6 Feb 2025
EU pushes ahead with enforcing AI Act despite Donald Trump warnings
Mapping the risks of emerging biometric and AI technology
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

The EU’s AI bans come with big loopholes for police

6 Feb 2025
News
The EU’s AI bans come with big loopholes for police
Politico ↗
6 Feb 2025
The EU’s AI bans come with big loopholes for police
AI
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

Projekti ‘Smart City’ ngre kambana alarmi për survejim masiv në Shqipëri

3 Feb 2025
News
Projekti ‘Smart City’ ngre kambana alarmi për survejim masiv në Shqipëri
Report.al ↗
3 Feb 2025
Projekti ‘Smart City’ ngre kambana alarmi për survejim masiv në Shqipëri
Bodily harms: how AI and biometrics curtail human rights PR header
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

EU lacks guidance on AI prohibitions, as rules start to apply

28 Jan 2025
News
EU lacks guidance on AI prohibitions, as rules start to apply
Euronews ↗
28 Jan 2025
EU lacks guidance on AI prohibitions, as rules start to apply
ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders put Big Tech on notice
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Ceasefire in Gaza: it’s time to end digital harms and deliver justice

20 Jan 2025

As physical violence appears to be coming to a halt after 15 months in Gaza, Access Now further calls for a digital ceasefire.

Press Release
Ceasefire in Gaza: it’s time to end digital harms and deliver justice
20 Jan 2025
Ceasefire in Gaza: it’s time to end digital harms and deliver justice
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Tackling the “black snakes” undermining digital rights worldwide 

16 Jan 2025

As 2025 gets underway, Access Now’s new Executive Director, Alejandro Mayoral Baños, PhD, shares his reflections on the “black snakes” threatening the digital rights movement.

Post
Tackling the “black snakes” undermining digital rights worldwide 
16 Jan 2025
Tackling the “black snakes” undermining digital rights worldwide 
AI Action Summit
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

Human rights and justice must be at the heart of the upcoming Commission guidelines on the AI Act implementation

16 Jan 2025

This statement was written by the AI Act civil society and the #ProtectNotSurveil coalitions following the EU Commission consultation on the AI Act.

Press Release
Human rights and justice must be at the heart of the upcoming Commission guidelines on the AI Act implementation
16 Jan 2025
Human rights and justice must be at the heart of the upcoming Commission guidelines on the AI Act implementation
AI
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

Submission on Sri Lanka’s draft National Strategy on AI 

7 Jan 2025

With increasing development of AI applications, it’s crucial for Sri Lanka to
develop a strong foundational guide for the use of emerging technology.

Publication
Submission on Sri Lanka’s draft National Strategy on AI 
7 Jan 2025
Submission on Sri Lanka’s draft National Strategy on AI 
Bodily harms: how AI and biometrics curtail human rights PR header
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

Commission sitting on detailed draft guidelines with prohibited AI deadline looming

21 Nov 2024
News
Commission sitting on detailed draft guidelines with prohibited AI deadline looming
Euractiv ↗
21 Nov 2024
Commission sitting on detailed draft guidelines with prohibited AI deadline looming
ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders put Big Tech on notice
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence

Access Now: İsrail’in Filistin’e yönelik dijital işgaline karşı mücadele

21 Nov 2024
News
Access Now: İsrail’in Filistin’e yönelik dijital işgaline karşı mücadele
Bianet ↗
21 Nov 2024
Access Now: İsrail’in Filistin’e yönelik dijital işgaline karşı mücadele
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Toward a digital ceasefire

20 Nov 2024

The ascent of cyber warfare is weaponizing our digital world; it’s time to embrace the concept of “digital ceasefire.”

Post
Toward a digital ceasefire
20 Nov 2024
Toward a digital ceasefire
Big Tech and the risk of Genocide in Gaza
Surveillance
Surveillance

Big Tech and the risk of genocide in Gaza: what are companies doing?

10 Oct 2024

Big Tech is playing a central role in enabling the relentless mass slaughter and destruction unleashed in the war in Gaza.

Post
Big Tech and the risk of genocide in Gaza: what are companies doing?
10 Oct 2024
Big Tech and the risk of genocide in Gaza: what are companies doing?