Human rights
Volker Türk: AI threatens the foundations of humanity
“How can we protect our humanity and our rights in this new universe?” says Volker Türk, referring to AI. photo
© Salvatore Di Nolfi/KEYSTONE/dpa
Digital transformation has “huge potential,” says the UN Human Rights Commissioner. But at the same time we also have to ask ourselves the question of how we can protect humanity.
According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies can Volker Türk, become a danger to human dignity. “Digital transformation has huge potential,” said Türk in Geneva. “But let’s face it: from artificial intelligence to neurotechnology, cybercrime, surveillance and bioweapons, we face a world in which the very foundations of humanity – human dignity and human agency – are at risk.”
Türk spoke on the second day of a forum celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was adopted 75 years ago, on December 10, 1948. It is considered a milestone in human history because, for the first time in the world, it enshrines, among other things, the right of every person to freedom, security and protection from state arbitrariness.
“How can we protect our humanity and our rights in this new universe?” said Türk, referring to digital transformation. “That is the question we have to ask ourselves.”
Türk called on governments to reaffirm and ensure respect for human rights in a dark hour of history with wars and conflicts in many regions of the world. “We are here to rebuild the foundation of hope,” he said. The panel discussions included heads of state and government, including the Presidents of Poland and Senegal, Andrzej Duda and Macky Sall, and the President of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.