Today, during Freedom Online Coalition’s UNGA 79 side-event “AI for Humanity: Charting the Global Course for Human Rights-Based Governance”, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken announced the publication of the FOC’s Joint Statement on Responsible Government Practices for AI Technologies.
The statement, drafted in consultation with Coalition Member States, and the multistakeholder FOC Advisory Network and Task Force on Artificial Intelligence & Human Rights, underscores that government policies, processes and regulations regarding AI technologies should protect and promote human rights. The statement highlights that AI systems, when designed, developed, procured, deployed, used, and decommissioned responsibly, can significantly enhance public service delivery, foster inclusive development, and advance the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, the statement also acknowledges that risks and impacts on individuals can be particularly acute in public sector uses of AI—for example, when it is used to conduct surveillance, inform decisions in the judicial system, law enforcement, or government service delivery, or shape other governmental functions that can impact rights or safety.
During the Ministerial side-event, the Secretary of State noted how the statement “spells out how governments can procure and use AI in a way that protects rights and the safety and privacy of citizens – all of us should move swiftly to implement these principles, and also encourage partners beyond the Coalition to do the same thing”.
Outlining measures that represent common practices and principles, the statement calls on governments to respect international obligations and commitments; assess impacts of AI systems in high-risk contexts prior to deployment and use; conduct ongoing monitoring of AI systems in high-impact contexts throughout their use; ensure adequate human training and assessment; communicate and respond to the public; provide effective access to remedy; and procure safe, secure, and trustworthy AI.
Building on the FOC’s previous work, including the 2020 Joint Statement on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, the statement reaffirms that States must abide by their obligations under international human rights law to ensure that human rights are fully respected and protected , calling on governments worldwide to adopt responsible AI practices that protect human rights and promote trustworthiness.
To read the full statement, see below or visit the following link.
