In recent years, the swift advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has captured the attention of countries around the world and various international human rights organizations. While generative AI is still in its infancy, its growth is occurring at an incredible rate.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recently released a report that categorizes the human rights risks linked to generative AI. Drawing from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the report highlights potential dangers that the development and application of generative AI pose to essential rights, such as non-discrimination, privacy, freedom of expression, access to information, and the right to work and earn a living. The OHCHR urges relevant parties to first recognize the human rights risks associated with generative AI so that they can implement measures to prevent, reduce, and address any resulting harms.
In March of this year, the EU enacted the Artificial Intelligence Act, aimed at enhancing accountability, transparency, and oversight of AI technologies. This legislation categorizes AI applications into four distinct risk levels: unacceptable, high, limited, and minimal, each with its own specific regulatory requirements. Similarly, Taiwan had introduced the "Guidelines for the Use of Generative AI by the Executive Yuan and Affiliated Agencies" in August of the previous year. These guidelines emphasize the necessity of responsible and trustworthy practices in the use of generative AI by government entities, highlighting essential principles such as safety, privacy, data governance, and accountability, while also ensuring that there is autonomy and control over AI systems.
Taiwan's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recognized the human rights challenges arising from the increasing influence of AI, making the impact of generative AI on human rights a key focus in its Medium-term Strategic Plan for 2023-2026. The NHRC is diligently tracking advancements in AI technology and evaluating their potential effects on human rights.
To further these discussions, the NHRC will host a forum "Safeguarding Human Rights in the Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights Trends" on Friday, July 12th. This event will gather representatives from government bodies, international human rights and data protection specialists, local academics, NGOs, and industry leaders. By facilitating discussions among the public and private sectors, academia, and civil society, the forum seeks to promote the sharing of ideas and experiences. It aims to provide essential insights for policymakers, businesses, and society on how to uphold human rights during the development and implementation of AI technologies.