This year marks the inaugural debut of the global digital human rights conference, RightsCon, in Taiwan. Today, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) jointly hosted the “2025 Digital Human Rights International Workshop,” refocusing on the challenges of safeguarding human rights amid threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital security. The workshop attracted international human rights organizations—the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Australian Human Rights Commission, and the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights—to collaboratively explore the future development of digital human rights and feasible strategies.
NHRC Vice Chairperson Wang Yu-ling acknowledged that the technology sector has already voiced a call for responsibly shaping AI control and development. She noted that governments worldwide continually refine risk assessment mechanisms and advance comprehensive data governance measures. Emphasizing a people-first approach, she added that the Commission will focus on addressing AI’s impact on vulnerable communities—particularly issues such as algorithmic bias, data privacy, and evolving labor conditions.
The workshop was moderated by Isabel Hou, Secretary General of the Taiwan AI Academy, and featured a dialogue with distinguished technology and human rights experts. Panelists included Chien Lee-feng, former Managing Director of Google Taiwan, Lai You-hao, an overseas researcher at the Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology (DSET), and Mette Thygesen, International Director at the Danish Institute for Human Rights. Together, they explored how the rise of AI is reshaping the protection of human rights.
Philippine CHR Commissioner Beda Angeles Epres remarked that this dialogue signifies how national human rights institutions have expanded their mandate into the digital realm. Using the Philippines as an example, he highlighted significant challenges facing digital human rights today—including attacks and threats against human rights defenders, the rampant online circulation of content that sexually exploits children, and the marginalization of elderly rights by digital technologies. However, he emphasized that national human rights institutions cannot operate in isolation. By sharing experiences and collaboratively developing strategies across countries, we can ensure that human rights remain vigorously protected in our rapidly evolving digital environment.
Philippine CHR Commissioner Faydah Maniri Dumarpa presented her research on “Digital Threats to Human Rights Defenders” and “Right to Privacy in the Digital Age.” She stressed that as digitalization accelerates, digital rights have become an integral extension of human rights—yet this shift also means that human rights defenders now face mounting online risks. These include governments targeting them under anti-terror laws and blocking websites for news outlets and civil society groups. In response, the Philippine CHR has proposed concrete measures, such as developing robust protection policies for human rights defenders and collaborating with key stakeholders to shield them from digital harm.
NHRC Commissioner Lin Wen-cheng stated that the Commission has launched an interview-based study, extensively consulting with diverse communities, stakeholders, and field experts. In line with the priorities set by international human rights treaties, the NHRC has offered recommendations on the Taiwan government’s draft of the “Basic Act on AI.” These include implementing clear measures to prevent algorithmic bias and discrimination, enhancing transparency in public and private sectors, conducting assessments on human rights impact, evaluating potential environmental risks, and safeguarding labor rights. The goal is to ensure the government strikes a balanced approach between fostering AI development and protecting human rights.
Chien Lee-feng, former Managing Director of Google Taiwan, cited UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) data to highlight a striking disparity: while approximately 6,900 languages exist globally, AI training data covers only about 100—primarily in English and Simplified Chinese. This limitation leads to the marginalization of numerous languages and cultures within technological frameworks. Moreover, he noted that the combined market capitalization of the top seven AI companies is roughly equivalent to 90% of China’s annual GDP, underscoring a clear trend toward concentration in the AI sector.
Mette Thygesen pointed out that while the public sector’s extensive reliance on citizen data facilitates service delivery, it may inadvertently overlook individual autonomy, putting fundamental civil rights at risk. The institute is engaging with governments and technology companies, stressing that these entities must take decisive measures. For instance, ensuring that tech companies assume responsibility for protecting children and adolescents from the adverse impacts of AI.
Researcher Lai You-hao added that AI’s dependence on massive data and algorithmic computation intensifies privacy concerns. He pointed out that online data scraping often occurs without consent, leading to personal data being used beyond its original purpose. He urged that current Taiwanese law be amended as it excludes public audiovisual materials from legal protection. Additionally, he stressed the need for a precise definition of “public interest” to prevent overly vague interpretations and to include online data scraping within the scope of personal data protection.
In addition to international human rights organizations, non-governmental groups such as the Taiwan Association for Human Rights, Amnesty International Taiwan, and the Open Culture Foundation, along with foreign institutions like German Institute Taipei, the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, the Trade Office of Swiss Industries, and the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office in Taipei, sent delegates to the workshop to collaboratively explore strategies for regulating digital human rights. NHRC Commissioners Yeh Yi-jin, Kao Yung-cheng, Chi Hui-jung, Yeh Ta-hua, Tien Chiu-chin, and Control Yuan Secretary General Lee Chun-yi were also in attendance.