AI and human rights: fundamental principles to uphold

Today, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly permeating various aspects of everyday life, and their integration into the military domain is also underway. Nonetheless, the utilization of AI technologies gives rise to several crucial concerns, particularly regarding privacy, personal data protection, and the preservation of other fundamental human rights and freedoms.

These issues were focused on during the discussion at Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform.

According to Yuliia Kovalenko, a lawyer at the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union (UHHRU) Strategic Litigation Centre, one of the aspects of the use of AI is that such a system must be used in compliance with democratic values, fundamental human rights and the rule of law. In addition, AI systems must comply with such principles as responsibility, control, proportionality, safety and reliability.

“When we talk about the use of artificial intelligence systems, of course, even in everyday life, the use of such technologies can lead to the violation of certain fundamental human rights. Here, despite the advantages provided by such technologies, we are talking about the fact that their use may cause issues related to the right to privacy and freedom of speech,” she noted.

As for the military artificial intelligence its primary application lies within the context of armed conflict for repelling armed aggression. Thus, as explained by Yuliia Kovalenko, AI utilized in military operations must adhere to the norms of International Humanitarian Law, while also upholding the fundamental principles safeguarding human rights.

“When considering the use of artificial intelligence in military affairs, it is worth pointing out that it is important to observe the key principles of International Humanitarian Law. These include the principle of proportionality when carrying out attacks – if we are talking about the AI-based weapon systems – and the principle of distinguishing between military and civilian objects. It is important to note that even in the development of cutting-edge weaponry, the discretion of parties involved in an armed conflict regarding the methods and means of military operations is not unrestricted. It is subject to specific prohibitions, such as the prohibition on resorting to indiscriminate attacks, using means and methods that could result in disproportionate suffering or unnecessary damage, and conducting attacks on the civilian population, among others,” the lawyer explained.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news