GENEVA: Hundreds of parliamentarians, from some 130 countries, gathered at the 149th IPU Assembly in Geneva, have adopted a landmark resolution on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
The resolution urges parliaments worldwide to swiftly develop and implement robust legal frameworks and policies for the responsible creation, deployment and use of AI technology. Key demands of the resolution include the following:
-Mitigating risks to democracy, human rights and the rule of law, with a particular focus on the disproportionate impact of AI on women and girls
-Legislating against deepfake intimate images and AI-generated content that fuels hate speech or incites violence
-Developing tools to verify the origin of online images and content, empowering users to discern authenticity
-Reviewing and updating existing legislation to close loopholes exposed by AI advances
-The resolution underscores the need for parliaments to stay ahead of the curve in regulat
ing AI, striking a balance between innovation and the protection of fundamental rights.
During the Assembly, the Governing Council adopted a new Charter on the Ethics of Science and Technology. Drafted by the IPU’s Working Group on Science and Technology, the Charter underscores the critical role of scientific knowledge in parliamentary decision-making and the ethical considerations essential for governing emerging technologies. Key highlights of the Charter include the following:
-Emphasising ethical responsibilities in scientific advancements.
-Advocating for equitable global participation, and addressing gender, social and economic inequalities.
-Outlining key principles for regulating science and technology, including enacting laws promoting societal values, the preservation of research freedom, international cooperation and sustainability considerations.
The Charter recommends that legislators maintain parliamentary structures for presenting evidence-based information, engage with competent organisa
tions on ethics, develop checklists for scrutinising legislation and consult civil society.
In their final Declaration, legislators expressed resolve to harness and regulate science, technology and innovation (STI) for the benefit of humanity.
The Declaration emphasises the need to bridge digital divides, protect human rights, and foster international cooperation in STI governance.
Parliamentarians pledged to implement these commitments through legislative, budgetary and oversight actions, striving for an equitable and technologically advanced world.
The 149th Assembly of the IPU took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 13th to 17th October 2024 under the overall theme “Harnessing science, technology and innovation (STI) for a more peaceful and sustainable future”.
Source: Emirates News Agency