Ethical AI governance highlighted at the IGF: Developing tools for human rights-focused solutions
The session included interactive exercises and highlighted the necessity of a multistakeholder approach to address global disparities in AI technology distribution, stressing opportunities for growth in underrepresented regions.
At the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, representatives from the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and Access Partnership discussed advancing ethical AI governance. Chris Martin, Head of Policy Innovation at Access Partnership, emphasised the societal stakes of AI, stating, ‘Every decision that AI systems make…will shape our lives, how we work, and how we interact.’
Ahmad Bhinder of the DCO underscored the importance of aligning AI governance with human rights, explaining, ‘We identified which human rights are most impacted by AI and examined global approaches to regulation.’ The DCO introduced its six ethical principles for AI governance: accountability, transparency, fairness, privacy protection, sustainability, and human-centeredness.
Matthew Sharp of Access Partnership detailed a new AI ethics evaluation tool designed to help developers and deployers assess and mitigate human rights risks. The tool features risk assessments, interactive radar graphs, and actionable recommendations, making it a practical resource for ethical AI development. ‘The tool aims to be comprehensive and interactive, addressing diverse industries and applications,’ Sharp said.
An interactive exercise led by Thiago tested the tool’s application in real-world scenarios, such as using AI to diagnose diseases or perform job screenings. Alaa Abdulaal, DCO’s Chief of Digital Economy Foresight, highlighted the importance of collaboration in AI governance, stating that a multistakeholder approach is essential to ensure global and practical solutions. Martin also noted the uneven adoption of AI worldwide, with opportunities for growth in the Middle East and North Africa.
Why does it matter?
The session underscored DCO’s commitment to creating actionable tools for responsible AI deployment while protecting human rights. Feedback gathered from participants aims to refine these efforts further, demonstrating a collective push towards ethical AI in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.
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