Embedding Human Rights in AI Standards: From Principles to Practice


Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) - International Telecommunication Union (ITU) - Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Session 179

Thursday, 10 July 2025 16:00–16:45 (UTC+02:00) Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation Room E, Palexpo Emerging Technologies Interactive Session
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Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation


AI Governance Dialogue at WSIS+20

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming societies at an unprecedented pace. While they offer vast opportunities, they also pose risks to the enjoyment of human rights. Technical standards, as foundational elements of digital infrastructure, can either safeguard or undermine these rights depending on their design and implementation.

In the Global Digital Compact, Member States call on standards development organizations (SDOs) to collaborate in promoting the development and adoption of interoperable artificial intelligence standards that uphold safety, reliability, sustainability, and human rights. In line with this vision, the Compact also recommends establishing an AI Standards Exchange to maintain a register of definitions and applicable standards for evaluating AI systems. Moreover, the Freedom Online Coalition’s 2024 Joint Statement urges SDOs and all stakeholders to embed human rights principles in the conception, design, development, and deployment of technical standards.

Thus, this side event will explore how such standards and tools can be developed to uphold human dignity, equality, privacy, and non-discrimination throughout the AI lifecycle.

Panellists
Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas
Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas Deputy Secretary-General ITU

H.E. Mr. Ernst Noorman
H.E. Mr. Ernst Noorman Ambassador at Large for Cyber Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands Moderator

Ms. Peggy Hicks
Ms. Peggy Hicks Director of the Thematic Engagement at the Office UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Ms. Karen McCabe
Ms. Karen McCabe Senior Director of Technology Policy IEEE

Ms. Caitlin Kraft-Buchman
Ms. Caitlin Kraft-Buchman CEO & Founder Women at the Table

Dr. Florian Ostmann
Dr. Florian Ostmann Director of AI Governance and Regulatory Innovation Alan Turing Institute

Topics
Artificial Intelligence Capacity Building Cybersecurity Digital Inclusion Digital Transformation Education Ethics Global Digital Compact (GDC) Human Rights WSIS+20 Review
WSIS Action Lines
  • AL C1 logo C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
  • AL C3 logo C3. Access to information and knowledge
  • AL C4 logo C4. Capacity building
  • AL C5 logo C5. Building confidence and security in use of ICTs
  • AL C6 logo C6. Enabling environment
  • AL C10 logo C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
  • AL C11 logo C11. International and regional cooperation

This session supports WSIS Action Lines by encouraging multi-stakeholder cooperation (C1), building capacities for human rights-based AI governance (C4), promoting ethical dimensions in ICTs (C10), and strengthening trust and security in AI systems (C5). The focus on international dialogue and harmonization of standards also directly contributes to Action Lines C6 and C11.

Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 4 logo Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
  • Goal 5 logo Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • Goal 9 logo Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
  • Goal 10 logo Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
  • Goal 16 logo Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
  • Goal 17 logo Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

This session contributes to achieving the SDGs by promoting inclusive, rights-based governance of digital technologies (Goals 9, 10, 16), encouraging global collaboration and standard-setting partnerships (Goal 17), and embedding equality and gender responsiveness (Goal 5). It also supports education and capacity building for digital inclusion (Goal 4).

GDC Objectives
  • Objective 1: Close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals
  • Objective 2: Expand inclusion in and benefits from the digital economy for all
  • Objective 3: Foster an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space that respects, protects and promotes human rights
  • Objective 5: Enhance international governance of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity