Putting human rights at the core of this new wave of technology in global markets will help define which road we choose. This new portal will be a digital platform for dialogue and action on this choice. -Phil Bloomer, Executive Director, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
In our connected century, information and communication technology (ICT) is deeply integrated into our working and personal lives. Digital communication is more global, affordable and accessible than ever before, enabling billions of people to share ideas, acquire knowledge, improve their quality of life, and boost livelihoods. Many studies show a strong correlation between ICT and GDP growth. ICT also promotes greater transparency and enhances many fundamental human rights – such as the right to health, education, freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression.
Examples of how technology can be used as a powerful tool for human rights are ever expanding. Newer technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and blockchain have the potential to make significant positive contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights. These technologies may significantly expand the availability and quality of data upon which to make informed decisions for the benefit of society. Increased access to the internet and the development of social media tools have enabled activists to organise and spread their message more quickly and to broader audiences. Supporters believe that they will unleash new opportunities, increase efficiency, and help maximise human potential.
At the same time, rapid developments in today’s technologies raise serious questions about potential impacts on human rights and the future of work, as well as who will benefit and lose from their expansion. There is a risk that the use of machines to increase productivity will result in mounting inequality through downward pressure on wages and loss of jobs. The growth of the “gig economy”, facilitated by technology, has contributed to changing the nature of work by increasing the availability of flexible positions that provide opportunities for some while negatively affecting the livelihoods of others.
The role of businesses, who will both create and utilize new technologies, is a critical issue. Will the private sector develop and deploy technologies in a way that is consistent with respect for human rights, and that builds in appropriate safeguards to prevent and mitigate negative human rights outcomes? At the same time, governments must also focus on their duty and examine how to ensure that businesses act responsibly.
The growth of these technologies raises important questions about whether our current policies, legal systems, and documentation and advocacy strategies are sufficient to mitigate the human rights risks that may result, many of which are still unknown.
The Human Privacy in Technology Era
The Internet of Things (IoT) will force us to rethink what privacy means. By 2020, it is estimated there will be 20 – 30 billion devices and possibly billions more sensors connected to the internet. Eventually, it will be the norm for any appliance, car, or gadget to collect information on its usage and its environment. Privacy is not dead but it means different things for different people – we will always want ways to keep certain things private, but it will get harder.
Societies will need to reconsider what privacy mean in several ways. Smart sensors in homes, cities and even the country side can help reduce energy usage, monitor the safety of infrastructure and maximize the utilization of roads, but to do this they have to collect a lot of data. The analysis of large data sets by artificial intelligence can have huge benefits but also have privacy implications. If we are to fully benefit from IoT we will need robust data protection systems – not just laws but also encryption, cybersecurity and oversight. Within countries, people will need to have an open public debate about what privacy is, what people expect their governments to protect and companies to respect. To have meaningful public buy-in, this debate about privacy must go beyond the narrow confines of “national security”.
Privacy is usually thought of in the context of an individual’s private thoughts or actions or in relation to their interaction with other people, but people already entrust a lot of their private lives to their devices. The idea of devices such as smartphones being digital extensions of ourselves, and the dependency that comes with it, will deepen as artificial intelligence develops and human-machine interaction becomes more profound. Concepts of privacy should therefore also develop to encompass human-machine interaction – that is, privacy should not just exist in relation to one individual or between a defined set of individuals, but also as a fundamental part of the relationship between an individual and the devices they use. This is a critical test for the private sector: will companies build products and services that people trust enough to consider their interaction with them private?
