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
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.






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C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
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C3. Access to information and knowledge
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C4. Capacity building
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C5. Building confidence and security in use of ICTs
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C6. Enabling environment
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C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
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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.
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Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
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Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
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Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
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Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
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Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
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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).
- 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