A three-year project to examine the relationship between technology and human rights has been launched by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Human Rights Commissioner, Edward Santow (pictured) said artificial intelligence, facial recognition, global data markets and other technological developments posed unprecedented challenges to privacy, freedom of expression and equality.
“Human rights must shape the future these incredible innovations have made possible,” Mr Santow said.
“We must seize the opportunities technology presents but also guard against threats to our rights and the potential for entrenched inequality and disadvantage.”
Mr Santow was launching an issues paper that asked how Australian law should protect human rights in the development and use of new technologies.
“It asks what protections are needed when artificial intelligence is used in decisions that affect our basic rights — in areas as diverse as insurance, social media and the criminal justice system,” Mr Santow said.
“It also invites ideas on how we can make technology more inclusive of our diverse community.”
He said this started the conversation the Commission will have with industry, Government, academia and civil society over the coming months.
Mr Santow said that working collaboratively, the Human Rights Commission would develop a practical roadmap for reform in Australia.
He said a discussion paper would be published in early 2019 and a final report and recommendations delivered in late 2019.
The 61-page issues paper can be accessed at this PS News link.
