Artificial intelligence promises to revolutionize society, but at what price for our fundamental rights?
In the era of artificial intelligence, the question of human rights is taking on new and complex nuances. If, on the one hand, technologies based on AI offer powerful tools to improve the safety, health, and social efficiency, on the other, raising profound questions on the respect of individual liberties and privacy protection.
The challenge of our time is not to decide whether to use the AI, but how to govern it to ensure that it remains at the service of humanity, not the other way around.
The Paradox of the Intelligent Surveillance
One of the areas most delicate is the digital surveillance. Facial recognition systems, predictive analysis, collection, and mass of biometric data: the IA allows you to monitor populations on a scale never seen before.
This ability can be used for legitimate purposes, such as prevention of crimes or the management of health emergencies. However, without appropriate limits and controls, is in danger of becoming a tool of social control is pervasive.
As we analyzed in our article on surveillance and artificial intelligencethe real problem is not only technical, but political: who is managing the data? Who decides how they are used?
Without transparency and accountability, even the most advanced systems can affect fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, movement and association.
Privacy in the age of AI: Opportunities and Challenges
In terms of privacy, artificial intelligence raises the radical challenges. Algorithms capable of crossing billions of different data can be reconstructed digital identity is complete, without the express consent of the individuals.
The european Regulation on artificial intelligence (AI Act), which entered into force on August 1, 2024, represents the first comprehensive legal framework in the world on the IA. The goal of the standards is to promote an IA reliable in Europe, by establishing a clear set of rules based on the risk for the developer and deployer of IA.
The legislation, such as the GDPR in Europe, represent a first attempt of protection by imposing requirements on transparency, data minimisation, and rights of access and deletion. However, many regulations are inadequate to cope with the speed with which these technologies are evolving, leaving grey areas in the most innovative sectors, such as the recognition of emotional, predictive analysis, and aggregation of data from unconventional sources.
The case OpenAI is emblematic: in December 2024, the Authority of italy has adopted a corrective measure, and sanction of fifteen million euros in respect of OpenAI for the management of the service ChatGPT, highlighting the critical issues in the use of personal data for the training of IA.
The International Regulatory Framework: UNESCO and the Council of Europe
In November 2021, the UNESCO adopted the first Recommendation of the global on the ethics of artificial intelligence, which is applicable to all 194 member states. The protection of human rights and dignity is the cornerstone of the Recommendation, based on the progress of fundamental principles, such as transparency and fairness, always remembering the importance of supervision human systems IA.
In September 2024, the Council of Europe opened for signature the “framework Convention on artificial intelligence and human rights, democracy and the rule of law”, the first international legally binding treaty in this matter. The objective is to ensure that the activities carried out within the framework of the IA are consistent with human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
These initiatives highlight the need to:
- Mandatory audits systems of IA in high-risk
- Clear boundaries the use of surveillance and algorithmic
- Effective tools legal protection for citizens
- Greater digital literacy among the citizens
The European Approach: TO Act and Data Protection
The Act european introduces a uniform framework based on a definition far-IA and on a risk-based approach, dividing the systems into different categories: unacceptable risk systems (prohibited), high-risk, low risk and minimal risk.
The high-risk systems include:
- Identification and categorization of biometrics of natural persons
- Management of critical infrastructure
- Access to essential services public and private
- Law enforcement and the control of borders
- Assistance in the interpretation legal
The Act invokes the provisions of the GDPR in the field of decision-making solely automated, establishing the right not to be subjected to decisions based solely on automatic processing, which produces legal effects significant.
Practical challenges and Innovative Solutions
The practical implementation of these principles requires technological innovation. Solutions are emerging include the use of a dataset of synthetic – data artificially generated, which replicates the statistical characteristics of the real data does not contain information related to natural persons, and advanced techniques of anonymization as differential privacy.
A regulatory approach dynamic and global needs:
- Updated regularly to anticipate technological risks
- Promote international cooperation for shared standards
- Balance innovation and security without blocking progress
- Involve all stakeholders in the governance of AI
Questions to Reflect
- How can we ensure that the IA in order to amplify the human rights instead of limiting them?
- What should be the balance between collective security and individual privacy?
- Who should have the authority to decide on these trade-offs are fundamental?
The Way forward
The artificial intelligence is not inherently hostile to human rights. Rather, it could become a powerful ally in the promotion of gender equality, access to justice, and democratic participation.
But to realize this potential it is necessary to:
- A solid regulatory framework that evolves with technology
- A culture of accountability in those who develop and use the AI
- Constant vigilance civil society
- International cooperation to global standards
The future of human rights in the era of AI will depend on the choices that we make today. To protect the personal freedom does not mean renouncing the technology, but govern with intelligence, transparency, and respect the dignity of every individual.
What do you think? The balance between technological innovation and human rights, it has reached? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Depth recommended:
- Ethics of artificial intelligence
- 5 Tool artificial intelligence for beginners
- IA and Privacy Digital
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