Global conference on AI and human rights kicks off in Doha
Doha
The international conference on 'Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights: Opportunities, Risks, and Visions for a Better Future' commenced in Doha on Tuesday. Organised by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), the event is being held in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), Huawei, and other global stakeholders in digital governance.
The opening ceremony was attended by Speaker of the Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim; Minister of Social Development and Family HE Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi; Minister of Labour HE Dr Ali bin Saeed bin Smaikh Al Marri; Minister of Communications and Information Technology HE Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai; Minister of Education and Higher Education HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater; Minister of State for Interior Affairs HE Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Faisal Al Thani; and Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, among other senior officials.
In her keynote address, NHRC Chairperson HE Mariam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah emphasised the relevance of artificial intelligence to human rights discourse, noting its potential to advance sectors such as healthcare, education, access to information, freedom of expression, and personal security. She warned, however, of significant ethical concerns, including bias, privacy violations, job displacement, and widening inequality. She called for a human rights-based approach to AI development that ensures transparency, oversight, accountability, and effective remedies.
HE Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai described AI as a transformative force, no longer limited to service optimisation but shaping decisions that impact human dignity. He stressed the need to move from admiration to active governance, questioning how fairness and inclusivity can be safeguarded in a world increasingly influenced by algorithms.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, speaking via video message, outlined four critical recommendations: the creation of robust legal frameworks, bridging the digital divide, inclusive AI governance, and ensuring AI development aligns with universal human rights.
President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions Amina Bouayach called AI a defining issue of the era, influencing every aspect of modern life and urging innovation to be directed by ethical considerations.
Mohammed Ahmed Al Yamahi, president of the Arab Parliament, cautioned against the misuse of AI, which could undermine privacy, exacerbate discrimination, and threaten justice and human dignity if not ethically regulated.
President of the National Cybersecurity Agency Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Malki underscored the challenges posed by generative AI and reiterated Qatar's proactive stance in integrating AI into its development strategies while maintaining a secure digital ecosystem.
Dr Mary Kawar, UNDP regional director for the Arab States, shared findings from a recent UNDP Human Development Report, revealing that a majority of people in lower-income countries expect AI to boost productivity and transform key sectors. She concluded by stressing that AI must be centred on human dignity and rights.
In closing, HE Kawar stressed the importance of responsible AI use, underscoring that at its core, AI must prioritise human dignity and operate within a framework of fundamental rights.
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