Protecting human rights from AI

Artificial intelligence technology brings the promise of improvements in many areas of life, but it’s not without problems. Near the top of the list of issues are ways in which it may embed prejudice, for instance through facial recognition, and surveillance. If AI’s to fulfil its potential, it needs to be safe, fair and reliable.

About three years ago, the Australian Human Rights Commission began compiling a report into the impacts of AI; the Human Rights and Technology Final Report was presented to the federal Attorney General in March, and tabled in parliament in early June.

Cosmos spoke to Australian Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow about the reasons for examining new technologies in a human rights framework, and about the key recommendations made.

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