Losing Control: AI Giants, National Security, and the Case for Smarter Governance

Entrance Sign for the Expert Workshop on AI, Rule of Law, and Human Rights — Geneva, 8 May 2025

I was invited last week to participate in an Expert Meeting on the Rule of Law and Human Rights Aspects of Using Artificial Intelligence for Counter-Terrorism Purposes, organized by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in partnership with the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and the Swiss government. The discussions, though focused on legal safeguards, surveillance, and freedom of expression, brought into sharp focus a broader question: who actually governs AI today?

And perhaps more urgently: can public institutions still govern it alone?

This raises a fundamental challenge for the future of democratic governance: are we witnessing the erosion of public control over technologies that increasingly define our societies?

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Governing Data and AI in Sensitive Contexts: Reflections from CSTD28

Panel Discussion on Data and AI Governance at the United Nations, CSTD28 Side Event – Geneva, April 2025

On April 9, 2025, I had the honour of moderating the second panel of the OHCHR side event at the 28th session of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The session, titled “Data and AI Governance in Human Rights-Sensitive Contexts”, was part of a broader event exploring frameworks and use cases for responsible AI deployment.

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Building Trustworthy AI: Aligning Standards with Public Interest and Integrity

Panel Discussion: Towards a Global Response to AI and Human Rights - Side Event for the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) Session - March 21, 2025

Panel Discussion: Towards a Global Response to AI and Human Rights – Side Event for the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) Session 58th – March 21, 2025

In a world increasingly shaped by algorithmic systems, the question of trust in technology has become central. Over the past months in Geneva, I participated in several gatherings of policymakers, experts, and diplomats focused on aligning artificial intelligence with human rights.

As part of the UN’s standardization community, I see daily how complex it is to shape global standards for emerging technologies. Yet we also have a responsibility to ensure that these standards do not harm anyone.

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Reflections from the AI Standards Hub Global Summit

Panel discussion

On March 17, 2025, I had the opportunity to speak at the AI Standards Hub Global Summit in London, joining a panel on “The Role of Civil Society and Human Rights Expertise in Shaping AI Standards.” This discussion, featuring experts from civil society, technical standardization, and policymaking, underscored a crucial reality: AI standards are not just technical tools—they are governance mechanisms that shape societal outcomes.
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White Paper: Promoting and Advancing Human Rights in Global AI Ecosystems

Promoting and Advancing Human Rights in Global AI Ecosystems

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping societies, influencing everything from decision-making processes to international relations. While its transformative power holds immense potential, AI also raises critical concerns about human autonomy, privacy, discrimination, and accountability. The governance of AI must align with human rights principles, yet the current regulatory landscape remains fragmented and inconsistent.

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The Role of AI Standards in Protecting Human Rights – Reflections from the OECD AI Governance Summit

AI Action Summit – OECD Headquarters

On February 11, 2025, I had the privilege of participating as a panelist at the OECD AI Governance Summit at the OECD headquarters. The event, titled “Shaping the Future of AI Governance: Standards, Risk Management, and Responsible Practices,” brought together leading experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the evolving landscape of AI governance. My panel focused on an essential yet often overlooked aspect of AI standardization: how to integrate human rights considerations into global AI standards.

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Bridging Innovation and Responsibility: Reflections on IGF 2024

IGF 2024

As we stand at the intersection of emerging technologies and human rights, the IGF 2024 session, “Fostering Trust: Embedding Human Rights in Technical Standards for Emerging Technologies,” was a call to action. This hour-long discussion brought together a diverse group of experts and stakeholders to tackle a pressing question: How can we ensure that technical standards promote human dignity in a rapidly evolving digital landscape?

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Exploring the State Duty to Protect Human Rights in AI Governance

Panel Discussion: Exploring the State Duty to Protect Human Rights in AI Governance

On November 28, 2024, I had the privilege of speaking at the expert consultation on the application of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) to technology companies, particularly regarding artificial intelligence (AI). Held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, this event brought together stakeholders to discuss the pressing challenges and opportunities in aligning technological innovation with human rights principles.

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Advancing Human Rights through the Global Digital Compact

UK mission in Geneva

On November 26, 2024, I had the privilege of speaking at the “Implementing Human Rights Objectives through the Global Digital Compact: A Multistakeholder Approach” workshop in Geneva. This gathering brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including member states, private sector leaders, civil society, and UN entities, to discuss the practical implementation of human rights commitments within the Global Digital Compact (GDC).

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La diplomatie numérique : une approche centrée sur les droits humains

Commission nationale consultative des droits de l’Homme

Le vendredi 22 novembre 2024, j’ai eu l’honneur de participer au séminaire organisé par la Commission nationale consultative des droits de l’Homme (CNCDH) sur la diplomatie numérique. Ce séminaire a réuni des experts issus de divers horizons pour débattre des enjeux et défis liés à l’intégration des droits humains dans la gouvernance numérique et les politiques étrangères.

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