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[Insert statement of urgency and significance for why this right relates to AI.]
Sectors #
The contributors of the AI & Human Rights Index have identified the following sectors as responsible for both using AI to protect and advance this human right.
- FIN: Financial ServicesThe Financial Services sector encompasses institutions and organizations involved in managing money, providing financial products, and facilitating economic transactions. This includes banking, insurance, investment firms, mortgage lenders, and financial technology companies. The FIN sector plays a crucial role in the global economy by enabling financial intermediation, promoting economic growth, and supporting individuals and businesses in managing their financial needs.
FIN-BNK: Banking and Financial Services
Banking and Financial Services include institutions that accept deposits, provide loans, and offer a range of financial services to individuals, businesses, and governments. They are central to payment systems, credit allocation, and financial stability. The FIN-BNK sector is accountable for ensuring that AI is used ethically within banking operations. This commitment involves preventing discriminatory practices, protecting customer data, and promoting financial inclusion. Banks must ensure that AI algorithms used in credit scoring, fraud detection, and customer service do not infringe on human rights. Examples include implementing AI-driven credit assessment tools that are transparent and free from biases, ensuring fair access to loans for all customers. Using AI-powered fraud detection systems to protect customers from financial crimes while respecting their privacy and data protection rights.FIN-FIN: Financial Technology Companies
Financial Technology (FinTech) Companies use innovative technology to provide financial services more efficiently and effectively. They offer digital payment solutions, peer-to-peer lending, crowdfunding platforms, and other disruptive financial products. These companies are accountable for ensuring that their AI applications do not exploit consumers, compromise data security, or exclude underserved populations. They must adhere to ethical standards, promote transparency, and protect user data to advance human rights in the digital financial landscape. Examples include developing AI-powered financial management apps that offer personalized advice while safeguarding user data and ensuring confidentiality. Using AI to expand access to financial services in remote or underserved areas, helping to reduce economic inequality.FIN-INS: Insurance Companies
Insurance Companies provide risk management services by offering policies that protect individuals and businesses from financial losses due to unforeseen events. They assess risks, collect premiums, and process claims. The FIN-INS sector is accountable for using AI ethically in underwriting and claims processing. This includes preventing biases in risk assessment algorithms that could lead to unfair denial of coverage or discriminatory pricing. They must ensure that AI enhances fairness and transparency in their services. Examples include utilizing AI algorithms that evaluate risk factors without discriminating based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Implementing AI-driven claims processing systems that expedite payouts to policyholders while ensuring accurate and fair assessments.FIN-INV: Investment Firms
Investment Firms manage assets on behalf of clients, investing in stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets to generate returns. They provide financial advice, portfolio management, and wealth planning services. These firms are accountable for ensuring that AI algorithms used in trading and investment decisions are transparent, ethical, and do not manipulate markets. They should consider the social and environmental impact of their investment strategies, promoting responsible investing. Examples include employing AI for market analysis and portfolio optimization while avoiding practices that could lead to market instability or unfair advantages. Using AI to identify and invest in companies with strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, supporting sustainable development.FIN-MTG: Mortgage Lenders
Mortgage Lenders provide loans to individuals and businesses for the purchase of real estate. They play a vital role in enabling homeownership and supporting the property market. The FIN-MTG sector is accountable for using AI in loan approval processes ethically, ensuring that algorithms do not discriminate against applicants based on unlawful criteria. They must promote fair lending practices and protect applicants' personal information. Examples include implementing AI-driven underwriting systems that assess creditworthiness fairly, giving equal opportunity for homeownership regardless of race, gender, or other protected characteristics. Using AI to streamline the mortgage application process, making it more accessible and efficient while maintaining data privacy and security.Summary
By embracing ethical AI practices, each of these sectors can significantly contribute to the prevention of human rights abuses and the advancement of human rights in financial services. Their accountability lies in the responsible development, deployment, and oversight of AI technologies to promote financial inclusion, protect consumers, and ensure fairness and transparency in financial activities.
Disclaimer: Our global network of contributors to the AI & Human Rights Index is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the research and review stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the editorial workflow. Thank you! We look forward to learning with and from you. - GOV: Government and Public SectorThe Government and Public Sector encompasses all institutions and organizations that are part of the governmental framework at the local, regional, and national levels. This includes government agencies, civil registration services, economic planning bodies, public officials, public services, regulatory bodies, and government surveillance entities. The GOV sector is responsible for creating and implementing policies, providing public services, and upholding the rule of law. It plays a vital role in shaping society, promoting the welfare of citizens, and ensuring the effective functioning of the state.
GOV-AGY: Government Agencies
Government Agencies are administrative units of the government responsible for specific functions such as health, education, transportation, and environmental protection. They implement laws, deliver public services, and regulate various sectors. The GOV-AGY sector is accountable for ensuring that AI is used ethically in public administration. This includes promoting transparency, protecting citizens' data, and preventing biases in AI systems that could lead to unfair treatment. By integrating ethical AI practices, government agencies can enhance service delivery while upholding human rights. Examples include using AI-powered chatbots to improve citizen access to information and services while ensuring data privacy and security. Implementing AI in processing applications or claims efficiently, without discriminating against any group based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status.GOV-CRS: Civil Registration Services
Civil Registration Services are responsible for recording vital events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. They maintain official records essential for legal identity and access to services. These services are accountable for using AI ethically to manage and protect personal data. They must ensure that AI systems used in data processing do not compromise the privacy or security of individuals' sensitive information. Ethical AI use can improve accuracy and efficiency in maintaining civil records. Examples include employing AI to detect and correct errors in civil records, ensuring that individuals' legal identities are accurately reflected. Using AI to streamline the registration process, making it more accessible while safeguarding personal data against unauthorized access.GOV-ECN: Economic Planning Bodies
Economic Planning Bodies are government entities that develop strategies for economic growth, resource allocation, and development policies. They analyze economic data to inform decision-making and promote national prosperity. The GOV-ECN sector is accountable for using AI in economic planning ethically. This involves ensuring that AI models do not perpetuate economic disparities or exclude marginalized communities from development benefits. By applying ethical AI, they can promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Examples include utilizing AI for economic forecasting to make informed policy decisions that benefit all segments of society. Implementing AI to assess the potential impact of economic policies on different demographics, thereby promoting equity and reducing inequality.GOV-PPM: Public Officials
Public Officials include elected representatives and appointed officers who hold positions of authority within the government. They are responsible for making decisions, enacting laws, and overseeing the implementation of policies. Public officials are accountable for promoting the ethical use of AI in governance. They must ensure that AI technologies are used to enhance democratic processes, increase transparency, and protect citizens' rights. Their leadership is crucial in setting ethical standards and regulations for AI deployment. Examples include advocating for legislation that regulates AI use to prevent abuses such as mass surveillance or algorithmic discrimination. Using AI tools to engage with constituents more effectively, such as sentiment analysis on public feedback, while ensuring that such tools respect privacy and free speech rights.GOV-PUB: Public Services
Public Services encompass various services provided by the government to its citizens, including healthcare, education, transportation, and public safety. These services aim to meet the needs of the public and improve quality of life. The GOV-PUB sector is accountable for integrating AI into public services ethically. This involves ensuring equitable access, preventing biases, and protecting user data. Ethical AI use can enhance service efficiency and effectiveness while respecting human rights. Examples include deploying AI in public healthcare systems to predict disease outbreaks and allocate resources efficiently, without compromising patient confidentiality. Using AI in public transportation to optimize routes and schedules, improving accessibility while safeguarding passenger data.GOV-REG: Regulatory Bodies
Regulatory Bodies are government agencies tasked with overseeing specific industries or activities to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. They protect public interests by enforcing standards and addressing misconduct. These bodies are accountable for regulating the ethical use of AI across various sectors. They must develop guidelines and enforce compliance to prevent AI-related abuses, such as discrimination or privacy violations. Their role is critical in setting the framework for responsible AI deployment. Examples include establishing regulations that require transparency in AI algorithms used by companies, ensuring they do not discriminate against consumers. Monitoring and auditing AI systems to verify compliance with data protection laws and ethical standards.GOV-SUR: Government Surveillance
Government Surveillance entities are responsible for monitoring activities for purposes such as national security, law enforcement, and public safety. They collect and analyze data to detect and prevent criminal activities and threats. The GOV-SUR sector is accountable for ensuring that AI used in surveillance respects human rights, including the rights to privacy and freedom of expression. They must balance security objectives with individual freedoms, adhering to legal frameworks and ethical standards. Examples include implementing AI-driven surveillance systems with strict oversight to prevent misuse and unauthorized access. Employing AI for specific, targeted investigations with appropriate warrants and legal processes, avoiding mass surveillance practices that infringe on citizens' rights.Summary
By embracing ethical AI practices, each of these sectors can significantly contribute to the prevention of human rights abuses and the advancement of human rights within government and public services. Their accountability lies in the responsible development, deployment, and oversight of AI technologies to enhance governance, protect citizens, and promote transparency and fairness in public administration.
Disclaimer: Our global network of contributors to the AI & Human Rights Index is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the research and review stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the editorial workflow. Thank you! We look forward to learning with and from you. - WORK: Employment and LaborThe Employment and Labor sector encompasses organizations, institutions, and entities involved in the facilitation of employment, protection of workers' rights, development of workforce skills, and management of labor relations. This includes employment agencies, government employment services, gig economy workers' associations, human resources departments, job training and placement services, labor unions, vocational training centers, and workers' rights organizations. The WORK sector plays a crucial role in promoting fair labor practices, enhancing employment opportunities, and ensuring that workers' rights are respected and upheld.
WORK-EMP: Employment Agencies
Employment Agencies are organizations that connect job seekers with employers. They provide services such as job placement, career counseling, and recruitment for temporary or permanent positions across various industries. These agencies are accountable for using AI ethically to match candidates with job opportunities fairly and efficiently. This involves preventing biases in AI algorithms that could discriminate against applicants based on race, gender, age, or other protected characteristics. By integrating ethical AI practices, employment agencies can promote equal employment opportunities and enhance diversity in the workplace. Examples include utilizing AI-powered applicant tracking systems that screen resumes objectively, ensuring that all qualified candidates are considered without bias. Implementing AI tools to match job seekers with suitable positions based on skills and preferences while protecting personal data and respecting privacy.WORK-GES: Government Employment Services
Government Employment Services are public agencies that provide assistance to job seekers and employers. They offer services like job listings, unemployment benefits administration, career counseling, and workforce development programs. These services are accountable for using AI ethically to improve service delivery and accessibility while upholding the rights of job seekers. They must ensure that AI applications do not introduce barriers to employment or unfairly disadvantage certain groups. Ethical AI use can enhance the efficiency of employment services and support economic inclusion. Examples include employing AI to analyze labor market trends and identify sectors with job growth, informing policy decisions and training programs. Using AI-driven platforms to connect job seekers with opportunities, ensuring that services are accessible to individuals with disabilities or limited digital literacy.WORK-GIG: Gig Economy Workers' Associations
Gig Economy Workers' Associations represent the interests of individuals engaged in short-term, freelance, or contract work, often facilitated through digital platforms. They advocate for fair treatment, reasonable pay, and access to benefits for gig workers. These associations are accountable for promoting ethical AI use within gig platforms to protect workers' rights. This includes ensuring that AI algorithms used for task allocation, performance evaluation, or payment do not exploit workers or perpetuate unfair practices. Examples include advocating for transparency in AI algorithms that determine job assignments or ratings, allowing workers to understand and contest decisions that affect their income. Working with platforms to implement AI systems that ensure fair distribution of work and prevent discrimination.WORK-HRD: Human Resources Departments
Human Resources Departments within organizations manage employee relations, recruitment, training, benefits, and compliance with labor laws. They play a key role in shaping workplace culture and practices. These departments are accountable for using AI ethically in HR processes, such as recruitment, performance evaluation, and employee engagement. They must prevent biases in AI tools that could lead to discriminatory hiring or unfair treatment of employees. Examples include implementing AI-driven recruitment software that screens candidates based on relevant qualifications without considering irrelevant factors like gender or ethnicity. Using AI for employee feedback analysis to improve workplace conditions while ensuring confidentiality and data protection.WORK-JOB: Job Training and Placement Services
Job Training and Placement Services provide education, skills development, and assistance in finding employment. They help individuals enhance their employability and connect with job opportunities. These services are accountable for using AI ethically to tailor training programs to individual needs and match candidates with suitable jobs. They must ensure that AI applications do not exclude or disadvantage certain learners and protect participants' personal information. Examples include using AI to assess skill gaps and recommend personalized training pathways, improving employment outcomes without compromising privacy. Employing AI to match trainees with employers seeking specific skills, promoting efficient job placement while ensuring fairness.WORK-LBU: Labor Unions
Labor Unions are organizations that represent workers in negotiations with employers over wages, benefits, working conditions, and other employment terms. They advocate for workers' rights and interests. These unions are accountable for leveraging AI ethically to support their advocacy efforts while protecting members' rights. This includes using AI to analyze labor data without violating privacy and ensuring that AI tools do not replace human judgment in critical decisions. Examples include employing AI to identify trends in workplace issues, informing collective bargaining strategies while safeguarding members' personal information. Using AI-driven communication platforms to engage with members effectively, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.WORK-VTC: Vocational Training Centers
Vocational Training Centers provide education and training focused on specific trades or professions. They equip individuals with practical skills required for particular jobs, supporting workforce development. These centers are accountable for using AI ethically to enhance learning experiences and outcomes. They must ensure that AI-powered educational tools are accessible, inclusive, and do not perpetuate biases or inequalities. Examples include implementing AI-driven tutoring systems that adapt to learners' needs, supporting diverse learning styles without compromising data privacy. Using AI analytics to track student progress and inform instructional strategies while respecting confidentiality.WORK-WRO: Workers' Rights Organizations
Workers' Rights Organizations advocate for the protection and advancement of labor rights. They monitor compliance with labor laws, support workers facing discrimination or exploitation, and promote fair labor practices globally. These organizations are accountable for using AI ethically to strengthen their advocacy efforts and protect workers. This involves ensuring that AI tools respect privacy, prevent biases, and do not inadvertently harm those they aim to support. Examples include using AI to analyze large datasets on labor conditions, identifying patterns of abuse or violations without exposing individual workers to retaliation. Employing AI-powered platforms to disseminate information on workers' rights, making resources accessible to a wider audience while ensuring data security.Summary
By embracing ethical AI practices, each of these sectors can significantly contribute to the prevention of human rights abuses and the advancement of human rights in employment and labor. Their accountability lies in the responsible development, deployment, and oversight of AI technologies to promote fair labor practices, enhance employment opportunities, and protect workers' rights. Through ethical AI use, they can foster inclusive workplaces, support workforce development, and ensure that technological advancements benefit all members of society.
Disclaimer: Our global network of contributors to the AI & Human Rights Index is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the editorial workflow. Thank you! We look forward to learning with and from you. - SOC: Social Services and HousingThe Social Services and Housing sector encompasses organizations and agencies dedicated to providing support, assistance, and essential services to individuals and communities in need. This includes child welfare organizations, community support services, homeless shelters, housing authorities, non-profit organizations, social services, and welfare agencies. The SOC sector plays a vital role in promoting social welfare, reducing inequalities, and enhancing the quality of life for vulnerable populations.
SOC-CHA: Child Welfare Organizations
Child Welfare Organizations are dedicated to the well-being and protection of children. They work to prevent abuse and neglect, provide foster care and adoption services, and support families to ensure safe and nurturing environments for children. These organizations are accountable for ensuring that AI is used ethically to enhance child protection efforts while safeguarding children's rights and privacy. This includes preventing biases in AI systems that could lead to unfair treatment or discrimination against certain groups of children or families. By integrating ethical AI practices, they can improve the effectiveness of interventions and promote the best interests of the child. Examples include using AI to analyze data and identify risk factors for child abuse or neglect, enabling proactive support while ensuring data confidentiality. Implementing AI tools to match children with suitable foster families more efficiently, considering the child's needs and preferences without bias.SOC-COM: Community Support Services
Community Support Services provide assistance and resources to individuals and families within a community. They address various needs, such as counseling, education, employment support, and access to healthcare. These services are accountable for using AI ethically to enhance service delivery and accessibility while respecting clients' rights and privacy. This involves preventing discrimination, ensuring inclusivity, and protecting sensitive information. Ethical AI can help tailor support to individual needs and improve outcomes. Examples include utilizing AI-driven platforms to connect community members with appropriate services and resources based on their unique circumstances, ensuring equitable access. Employing AI to analyze community needs and trends, informing program development and resource allocation without compromising individual privacy.SOC-HOM: Homeless Shelters
Homeless Shelters provide temporary housing, food, and support services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. They aim to meet immediate needs and assist clients in transitioning to stable housing. These shelters are accountable for using AI ethically to improve service efficiency and support clients while protecting their dignity and rights. This includes safeguarding personal data, preventing biases in service provision, and ensuring that AI does not create barriers to access. Examples include implementing AI systems to manage shelter capacity and resources effectively, ensuring that services are available when needed without disclosing personal information. Using AI to identify patterns that lead to homelessness, informing prevention strategies and policy interventions while respecting clients' privacy.SOC-HOU: Housing Authorities
Housing Authorities are government agencies or organizations that develop, manage, and provide affordable housing options for low-income individuals and families. They work to ensure access to safe, decent, and affordable housing. These authorities are accountable for using AI ethically to allocate housing resources fairly and efficiently. This involves preventing discriminatory practices in housing assignments, protecting applicants' data, and promoting transparency in decision-making processes. Examples include employing AI algorithms to assess housing applications objectively, ensuring equal opportunity regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Using AI to predict maintenance needs in housing units, improving living conditions without infringing on residents' rights.SOC-NPO: Non-Profit Organizations
Non-Profit Organizations in the social services sector work to address various social issues, such as poverty, hunger, education, and healthcare. They operate based on charitable missions rather than profit motives. These organizations are accountable for using AI ethically to enhance their programs and services while upholding beneficiaries' rights. This includes ensuring inclusivity, protecting data privacy, and avoiding biases that could disadvantage certain groups. Examples include utilizing AI to optimize fundraising efforts, targeting campaigns effectively without exploiting donor data. Implementing AI-driven tools to evaluate program effectiveness, informing improvements while respecting the privacy of those served.SOC-SVC: Social Services
Social Services encompass a range of government-provided services aimed at supporting individuals and families in need. This includes financial assistance, disability services, elderly care, and employment support. These services are accountable for using AI ethically to deliver support efficiently while ensuring fairness and protecting clients' rights. They must prevent biases in eligibility assessments, safeguard personal information, and ensure that AI enhances rather than hinders access to services. Examples include using AI to process applications for assistance more quickly, reducing wait times while ensuring that eligibility criteria are applied consistently and fairly. Employing AI chatbots to provide information and guidance to applicants, improving accessibility while maintaining confidentiality.SOC-WEL: Welfare Agencies
Welfare Agencies are government bodies that administer public assistance programs to support the economically disadvantaged. They provide services such as income support, food assistance, and healthcare subsidies. These agencies are accountable for using AI ethically to manage welfare programs effectively while upholding the rights and dignity of beneficiaries. This involves preventing errors or biases that could lead to wrongful denial of benefits, protecting sensitive data, and ensuring transparency. Examples include implementing AI systems to detect and prevent fraud in welfare programs without unjustly targeting or penalizing legitimate beneficiaries. Using AI analytics to identify trends and needs within the population served, informing policy decisions while safeguarding individual privacy. Summar By embracing ethical AI practices, each of these sectors can significantly contribute to the prevention of human rights abuses and the advancement of human rights in social services and housing. Their accountability lies in the responsible development, deployment, and oversight of AI technologies to enhance support for vulnerable populations, promote fairness and inclusivity, and ensure that the use of AI respects the rights, dignity, and privacy of all individuals.
Disclaimer: Our global network of contributors to the AI & Human Rights Index is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the editorial workflow. Thank you! We look forward to learning with and from you. - HLTH: Healthcare and Public HealthThe Healthcare and Public Health sector encompasses all organizations and entities involved in delivering health services, promoting wellness, preventing disease, and managing health-related technologies and products. This includes healthcare providers, health insurance companies, healthcare technology companies, medical device manufacturers, mental health services, public health agencies, and pharmaceutical companies. The HLTH sector plays a vital role in maintaining and improving the health of individuals and communities, advancing medical knowledge, and ensuring access to quality healthcare.
HLTH-HCP: Healthcare Providers
Healthcare Providers include hospitals, clinics, doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who deliver direct patient care. They diagnose illnesses, provide treatments, and promote health and well-being. These providers are accountable for ensuring that AI is used ethically in patient care. This involves protecting patient privacy, obtaining informed consent for AI-assisted treatments, and preventing biases in AI diagnostics that could lead to misdiagnosis or unequal treatment. By integrating ethical AI practices, healthcare providers can enhance patient outcomes while upholding human rights. Examples include using AI-powered diagnostic tools that assist in identifying diseases accurately, ensuring they are validated across diverse populations to prevent racial or gender biases. Implementing AI systems for patient monitoring that respect privacy and data security, alerting healthcare professionals to critical changes without compromising patient confidentiality.HLTH-HIC: Health Insurance Companies
Health Insurance Companies offer policies that cover medical expenses for individuals and groups. They manage risk pools, process claims, and work with healthcare providers to facilitate patient care. The HLTH-HIC sector is accountable for using AI ethically in underwriting and claims processing. This includes preventing discriminatory practices in policy offerings and ensuring transparency in decision-making processes. They must protect sensitive customer data and promote equitable access to health insurance. Examples include employing AI algorithms that assess risk without discriminating based on pre-existing conditions, socioeconomic status, or other protected characteristics. Using AI to streamline claims processing, reducing delays in reimbursements while safeguarding personal health information.HLTH-HTC: Healthcare Technology Companies
Healthcare Technology Companies develop software, applications, and technological solutions for the healthcare industry. They innovate in areas such as electronic health records, telemedicine platforms, and AI-powered health tools. These companies are accountable for designing AI technologies that are safe, effective, and respect patient rights. They must prevent biases in AI systems, ensure data security, and obtain necessary regulatory approvals. Ethical AI use can drive innovation while maintaining trust in digital health solutions. Examples include creating AI-driven telemedicine platforms that expand access to care in remote areas while protecting patient confidentiality. Developing AI applications that assist in medical imaging analysis, ensuring they are trained on diverse datasets to provide accurate results across different populations.HLTH-MDC: Medical Device Manufacturers
Medical Device Manufacturers produce instruments, apparatuses, and machines used in medical diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. This includes everything from simple tools to complex AI-enabled devices. They are accountable for ensuring that AI-integrated medical devices are safe, effective, and compliant with regulatory standards. This involves rigorous testing, transparency in how AI algorithms function, and monitoring for unintended consequences. Ethical AI integration is essential to patient safety and trust. Examples include developing AI-powered wearable devices that monitor vital signs, ensuring they do not produce false alarms or miss critical conditions. Manufacturing surgical robots with AI capabilities that enhance precision while ensuring a surgeon remains in control to prevent errors.HLTH-MHS: Mental Health Services
Mental Health Services provide support for individuals dealing with mental health conditions through counseling, therapy, and psychiatric care. They play a crucial role in promoting mental well-being and treating mental illnesses. The HLTH-MHS sector is accountable for using AI ethically to enhance mental health care. This includes protecting patient privacy, obtaining informed consent, and ensuring AI tools do not replace human empathy and judgment. Ethical AI can support mental health professionals while respecting patients' rights. Examples include using AI chatbots to provide preliminary mental health assessments, ensuring they direct individuals to professional care when needed and maintain confidentiality. Implementing AI analytics to identify patterns in patient data that can inform treatment plans without stigmatizing individuals.HLTH-PHA: Public Health Agencies
Public Health Agencies are government bodies responsible for monitoring and improving the health of populations. They conduct disease surveillance, promote health education, and implement policies to prevent illness and injury. These agencies are accountable for using AI ethically in public health initiatives. This involves ensuring data collected is used responsibly, protecting individual privacy, and preventing misuse of information. Ethical AI can enhance public health responses while maintaining public trust. Examples include employing AI to predict and track disease outbreaks, enabling timely interventions while anonymizing personal data to protect privacy. Using AI to analyze health trends and inform policy decisions that address health disparities without discriminating against vulnerable groups.HLTH-PHC: Pharmaceutical Companies
Pharmaceutical Companies research, develop, manufacture, and market medications. They play a critical role in treating diseases, alleviating symptoms, and improving quality of life. The HLTH-PHC sector is accountable for using AI ethically in drug discovery, clinical trials, and marketing. This includes ensuring that AI models do not introduce biases, respecting patient consent, and being transparent about AI's role in decision-making processes. Ethical AI use can accelerate medical advancements while safeguarding patient rights. Examples include using AI algorithms to identify potential drug candidates more efficiently, ensuring that clinical trial data is representative and unbiased. Implementing AI to monitor adverse drug reactions post-market, protecting patient safety through proactive measures.Summary
By embracing ethical AI practices, each of these sectors can significantly contribute to the prevention of human rights abuses and the advancement of human rights in healthcare and public health. Their accountability lies in the responsible development, deployment, and oversight of AI technologies to improve health outcomes while respecting the rights, dignity, and privacy of all individuals.
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AI’s Potential Violations #
[Insert 300- to 500-word analysis of how AI could violate this human right.]
AI’s Potential Benefits #
[Insert 300- to 500-word analysis of how AI could advance this human right.]
Human Rights Instruments #
Madrid Plan on Aging #
[Insert citation with link]
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) #
G.A. Res. 217 (III) A, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, U.N. Doc. A/RES/217(III) (Dec. 10, 1948)
Article 22
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social Security
and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his DignitySecurity in artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the principle that AI systems must be designed to resist external threats and protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and functionality. Security ensures AI systems are safeguarded against unauthorized access, manipulation, or exploitation, maintaining trust and reliability in AI technologies. This principle is particularly critical in sensitive domains such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, where vulnerabilities can have far-reaching consequences. Effective AI security emphasizes proactive measures, such as testing system resilience, sharing information about cyber threats, and implementing robust data protection strategies. Techniques like anonymization, de-identification, and data aggregation reduce risks to personal and sensitive information. Security by design—embedding security measures at every stage of an AI system’s lifecycle—is a cornerstone of this principle. This includes deploying fallback mechanisms, secure software protocols, and continuous monitoring to detect and address potential threats. These measures not only protect AI systems but also foster trust among users and stakeholders by ensuring their safe and ethical operation. Challenges to achieving AI security include the increasing complexity of AI models, the sophistication of cyber threats, and the need to balance security with transparency and usability. As AI technologies often operate across borders, international cooperation is essential to establish and enforce global security standards. Collaborative efforts among governments, private sector actors, and civil society can create unified frameworks to address cross-border threats and ensure the ethical deployment of secure AI systems. Ultimately, the principle of security safeguards individual and organizational assets while upholding broader societal trust in AI. By prioritizing security in design, deployment, and governance, developers and policymakers can ensure AI technologies serve humanity responsibly and reliably. For Further Reading Fjeld, Jessica, Nele Achten, Hannah Hilligoss, Adam Nagy, and Madhulika Srikumar. “Principled Artificial Intelligence: Mapping Consensus in Ethical and Rights-Based Approaches to Principles for AI.” Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, Research Publication No. 2020-1, January 15, 2020.
Our global network of contributors to the AI & Human Rights Index is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the editorial workflow. Thank you! We look forward to learning with and from you.Human dignity refers to the inherent worth and respect that every individual possesses, irrespective of their status, identity, or achievements. In the context of artificial intelligence (AI), dignity emphasizes the need for AI systems to be designed, developed, and deployed in ways that respect, preserve, and even enhance this intrinsic human value. While many existing AI ethics guidelines reference dignity, they often leave it undefined, highlighting instead its close relationship to human rights and its role in avoiding harm, forced acceptance, automated classification, and unconsented interactions between humans and AI. Fundamentally, dignity serves as a cornerstone of ethical AI practices, requiring systems to prioritize human well-being and autonomy. The preservation of dignity in AI systems places significant ethical responsibilities on developers, organizations, and policymakers. Developers play a pivotal role in ensuring that AI technologies respect privacy and autonomy by safeguarding personal data and avoiding manipulative practices. Bias mitigation is another critical responsibility, as AI systems must strive to eliminate discriminatory outcomes that could undermine the dignity of individuals based on race, gender, age, or other characteristics. Furthermore, transparency and accountability in AI operations are essential for upholding dignity, as they provide mechanisms to understand and address the impacts of AI systems on individuals and communities. Governance and legislation are equally important in safeguarding human dignity in the AI landscape. New legal frameworks and regulations can mandate ethical development and deployment practices, with a focus on protecting human rights and dignity. Government-issued technical and methodological guidelines can provide developers with clear standards for ethical AI design. Additionally, international cooperation is essential to establish a unified, global approach to AI ethics, recognizing the cross-border implications of AI technologies. By embedding dignity into AI systems and governance structures, society can ensure that AI technologies respect and enhance human worth, fostering trust, equity, and ethical innovation. Recommended Reading Anna Jobin, Marcello Ienca, and Effy Vayena. "The Global Landscape of AI Ethics Guidelines." Nature Machine Intelligence 1 (2019): 389–399.and the free development of his personality.
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Article 25
1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to Security
in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his ControlSecurity in artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the principle that AI systems must be designed to resist external threats and protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and functionality. Security ensures AI systems are safeguarded against unauthorized access, manipulation, or exploitation, maintaining trust and reliability in AI technologies. This principle is particularly critical in sensitive domains such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, where vulnerabilities can have far-reaching consequences. Effective AI security emphasizes proactive measures, such as testing system resilience, sharing information about cyber threats, and implementing robust data protection strategies. Techniques like anonymization, de-identification, and data aggregation reduce risks to personal and sensitive information. Security by design—embedding security measures at every stage of an AI system’s lifecycle—is a cornerstone of this principle. This includes deploying fallback mechanisms, secure software protocols, and continuous monitoring to detect and address potential threats. These measures not only protect AI systems but also foster trust among users and stakeholders by ensuring their safe and ethical operation. Challenges to achieving AI security include the increasing complexity of AI models, the sophistication of cyber threats, and the need to balance security with transparency and usability. As AI technologies often operate across borders, international cooperation is essential to establish and enforce global security standards. Collaborative efforts among governments, private sector actors, and civil society can create unified frameworks to address cross-border threats and ensure the ethical deployment of secure AI systems. Ultimately, the principle of security safeguards individual and organizational assets while upholding broader societal trust in AI. By prioritizing security in design, deployment, and governance, developers and policymakers can ensure AI technologies serve humanity responsibly and reliably. For Further Reading Fjeld, Jessica, Nele Achten, Hannah Hilligoss, Adam Nagy, and Madhulika Srikumar. “Principled Artificial Intelligence: Mapping Consensus in Ethical and Rights-Based Approaches to Principles for AI.” Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, Research Publication No. 2020-1, January 15, 2020.
Our global network of contributors to the AI & Human Rights Index is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the editorial workflow. Thank you! We look forward to learning with and from you.Fjeld, Achten, Hilligoss, Nagy, Srikumar write, “Control over the use of data” as a principle stands for the notion that data subjects should have some degree of influence over how and why information about them is used. Certain other principles under the privacy theme, including “consent,” “ability to restrict processing,” “right to rectification,” and “right to erasure” can be thought of as more specific instantiations of the control principle since they are mechanisms by which a data subject might exert control. Perhaps because this principle functions as a higher-level articulation, many of the documents we coded under it are light in the way of definitions for “control.” Citation Fjeld, Jessica, Nele Achten, Hannah Hilligoss, Adam Nagy, and Madhulika Srikumar. “Principled Artificial Intelligence: Mapping Consensus in Ethical and Rights-Based Approaches to Principles for AI.” Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, Research Publication No. 2020-1. January 15, 2020..
Disclaimer: Our global network of contributors to the AI & Human Rights Index is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the editorial workflow. Thank you! We look forward to learning with and from you.2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) #
G.A. Res. 2200A (XXI), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, U.N. Doc. A/6316 (1966), 999 U.N.T.S. 171 (Dec. 16, 1966)
Article 6
1. Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.
2. In countries which have not abolished the death penalty, sentence of death may be imposed only for the most serious crimes in accordance with the law in force at the time of the commission of the crime and not contrary to the provisions of the present Covenant and to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. This penalty can only be carried out pursuant to a final judgement rendered by a competent court.
3. When deprivation of life constitutes the crime of genocide, it is understood that nothing in this article shall authorize any State Party to the present Covenant to derogate in any way from any obligation assumed under the provisions of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
4. Anyone sentenced to death shall have the right to seek pardon or commutation of the sentence. Amnesty, pardon or commutation of the sentence of death may be granted in all cases.
5. Sentence of death shall not be imposed for crimes committed by persons below eighteen years of age and shall not be carried out on pregnant women.
6. Nothing in this article shall be invoked to delay or to prevent the abolition of capital punishment by any State Party to the present Covenant.
Article 7
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. In particular, no one shall be subjected without his free Consent
to medical or scientific experimentation.Consent is the ethical, professional, and legal commitment to ensure that a person gives their free and informed permission for a specific action or use, such as data collection and automated decision-making. Informed consent is a legal term that extends this principle by requiring AI companies to educate their users about risks, benefits, and alternatives available to them. Consent is innately related to the human right to privacy, specifically, the ability for a person to maintain their agency over data use, such as restricting processing, requesting rectification, and exercising their right to data erasure. Special attention is needed to ensure AI respects human autonomy and prevents coercion or manipulation. Legally, regulations such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) require consent to be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous. Ethically, informed consent helps companies build trustworthy AI, build a loyal customer base, and prevent manipulative and coercive practices that can cause people real harm. As AI advances and becomes more pervasive in society, developers across sectors must empower individuals to understand their options and customize their permissions. AI companies and the regulators that monitor them are responsible for ensuring the public remains knowledgeable about navigating AI’s growing influence on their lives.
Recommended Reading Jessica Fjeld, Nele Achten, Hannah Hilligoss, Adam Nagy, and Madhulika Srikumar. "Principled Artificial Intelligence: Mapping Consensus in Ethical and Rights-Based Approaches to Principles for AI." Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, Research Publication No. 2020-1, January 15, 2020.
Disclaimer: Our global network of contributors to the AI & Human Rights Index is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the editorial workflow. Thank you! We look forward to learning with and from you.
Article 9
1. Everyone has the right to liberty and Security
of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.Security in artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the principle that AI systems must be designed to resist external threats and protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and functionality. Security ensures AI systems are safeguarded against unauthorized access, manipulation, or exploitation, maintaining trust and reliability in AI technologies. This principle is particularly critical in sensitive domains such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, where vulnerabilities can have far-reaching consequences. Effective AI security emphasizes proactive measures, such as testing system resilience, sharing information about cyber threats, and implementing robust data protection strategies. Techniques like anonymization, de-identification, and data aggregation reduce risks to personal and sensitive information. Security by design—embedding security measures at every stage of an AI system’s lifecycle—is a cornerstone of this principle. This includes deploying fallback mechanisms, secure software protocols, and continuous monitoring to detect and address potential threats. These measures not only protect AI systems but also foster trust among users and stakeholders by ensuring their safe and ethical operation. Challenges to achieving AI security include the increasing complexity of AI models, the sophistication of cyber threats, and the need to balance security with transparency and usability. As AI technologies often operate across borders, international cooperation is essential to establish and enforce global security standards. Collaborative efforts among governments, private sector actors, and civil society can create unified frameworks to address cross-border threats and ensure the ethical deployment of secure AI systems. Ultimately, the principle of security safeguards individual and organizational assets while upholding broader societal trust in AI. By prioritizing security in design, deployment, and governance, developers and policymakers can ensure AI technologies serve humanity responsibly and reliably. For Further Reading Fjeld, Jessica, Nele Achten, Hannah Hilligoss, Adam Nagy, and Madhulika Srikumar. “Principled Artificial Intelligence: Mapping Consensus in Ethical and Rights-Based Approaches to Principles for AI.” Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, Research Publication No. 2020-1, January 15, 2020.
Our global network of contributors to the AI & Human Rights Index is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the editorial workflow. Thank you! We look forward to learning with and from you.2. Anyone who is arrested shall be informed, at the time of arrest, of the reasons for his arrest and shall be promptly informed of any charges against him.
3. Anyone arrested or detained on a criminal charge shall be brought promptly before a judge or other officer authorized by law to exercise judicial power and shall be entitled to trial within a reasonable time or to release. It shall not be the general rule that persons awaiting trial shall be detained in custody, but release may be subject to guarantees to appear for trial, at any other stage of the judicial proceedings, and, should occasion arise, for execution of the judgement.
4. Anyone who is deprived of his liberty by arrest or detention shall be entitled to take proceedings before a court, in order that that court may decide without delay on the lawfulness of his detention and order his release if the detention is not lawful.
5. Anyone who has been the victim of unlawful arrest or detention shall have an enforceable right to compensation.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966) #
G.A. Res. 2200A (XXI), International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, U.N. Doc. A/6316 (1966), 993 U.N.T.S. 3 (Dec. 16, 1966)
Article 11
1. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. The States Parties will take appropriate steps to ensure the realization of this right, recognizing to this effect the essential importance of international co-operation based on free Consent
.Consent is the ethical, professional, and legal commitment to ensure that a person gives their free and informed permission for a specific action or use, such as data collection and automated decision-making. Informed consent is a legal term that extends this principle by requiring AI companies to educate their users about risks, benefits, and alternatives available to them. Consent is innately related to the human right to privacy, specifically, the ability for a person to maintain their agency over data use, such as restricting processing, requesting rectification, and exercising their right to data erasure. Special attention is needed to ensure AI respects human autonomy and prevents coercion or manipulation. Legally, regulations such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) require consent to be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous. Ethically, informed consent helps companies build trustworthy AI, build a loyal customer base, and prevent manipulative and coercive practices that can cause people real harm. As AI advances and becomes more pervasive in society, developers across sectors must empower individuals to understand their options and customize their permissions. AI companies and the regulators that monitor them are responsible for ensuring the public remains knowledgeable about navigating AI’s growing influence on their lives.
Recommended Reading Jessica Fjeld, Nele Achten, Hannah Hilligoss, Adam Nagy, and Madhulika Srikumar. "Principled Artificial Intelligence: Mapping Consensus in Ethical and Rights-Based Approaches to Principles for AI." Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, Research Publication No. 2020-1, January 15, 2020.
Disclaimer: Our global network of contributors to the AI & Human Rights Index is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the editorial workflow. Thank you! We look forward to learning with and from you.2. The States Parties to the present Covenant, recognizing the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger, shall take, individually and through international co-operation, the measures, including specific programmes, which are needed:
(a) To improve methods of production, conservation and distribution of food by making full use of technical and scientific knowledge, by disseminating knowledge of the principles of nutrition and by developing or reforming agrarian systems in such a way as to achieve the most efficient development and utilization of natural resources;
(b) Taking into account the problems of both food-importing and food-exporting countries, to ensure an equitable distribution of world food supplies in relation to need.
Article 12
1. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
2. The steps to be taken by the States Parties to the present Covenant to achieve the full realization of this right shall include those necessary for:
(a) The provision for the reduction of the stillbirth-rate and of infant mortality and for the healthy development of the child;
(b) The improvement of all aspects of environmental and industrial hygiene;
(c) The prevention, treatment and Control
of epidemic, endemic, occupational and other diseases;Fjeld, Achten, Hilligoss, Nagy, Srikumar write, “Control over the use of data” as a principle stands for the notion that data subjects should have some degree of influence over how and why information about them is used. Certain other principles under the privacy theme, including “consent,” “ability to restrict processing,” “right to rectification,” and “right to erasure” can be thought of as more specific instantiations of the control principle since they are mechanisms by which a data subject might exert control. Perhaps because this principle functions as a higher-level articulation, many of the documents we coded under it are light in the way of definitions for “control.” Citation Fjeld, Jessica, Nele Achten, Hannah Hilligoss, Adam Nagy, and Madhulika Srikumar. “Principled Artificial Intelligence: Mapping Consensus in Ethical and Rights-Based Approaches to Principles for AI.” Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, Research Publication No. 2020-1. January 15, 2020.
Disclaimer: Our global network of contributors to the AI & Human Rights Index is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the editorial workflow. Thank you! We look forward to learning with and from you.(d) The creation of conditions which would assure to all medical service and medical attention in the event of sickness.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979) #
G.A. Res. 34/180, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, U.N. Doc. A/RES/34/180 (Dec. 18, 1979)
Article 22
The specialized agencies shall be entitled to be represented at the consideration of the implementation of such provisions of the present Convention as fall within the scope of their activities. The Committee may invite the specialized agencies to submit reports on the implementation of the Convention in areas falling within the scope of their activities.
Article 25
1. The present Convention shall be open for signature by all States.
2. The Secretary-General of the United Nations is designated as the depositary of the present Convention.
3. The present Convention is subject to ratification. Instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
4. The present Convention shall be open to accession by all States. Accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Last Updated: March 14, 2025
Research Assistant: Aarianna Aughtry
Contributor: To Be Determined
Reviewer: To Be Determined
Editor: Alexander Kriebitz
Subject: Human Right
Edition: Edition 1.0 Research
Recommended Citation: "II.G. Rights of Older Persons, Edition 1.0 Research." In AI & Human Rights Index, edited by Nathan C. Walker, Dirk Brand, Caitlin Corrigan, Georgina Curto Rex, Alexander Kriebitz, John Maldonado, Kanshukan Rajaratnam, and Tanya de Villiers-Botha. New York: All Tech is Human; Camden, NJ: AI Ethics Lab at Rutgers University, 2025. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/Docs/ii-g-older-persons/.
