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?
Why Human Rights Matter in Technical Standards
Traditionally, technical standards have focused on interoperability, accuracy, and commercial success. While these goals remain important, today’s challenges demand a broader perspective. As technologies like AI, IoT, and the metaverse reshape our world, they also raise critical questions about privacy, inclusivity, and non-discrimination. These are not just ethical considerations—they are foundational to building trust in the digital age.
During my opening remarks, I highlighted recent milestones that illustrate this shift:
- The Freedom Online Coalition’s first joint statement linking technical standards to human rights.
- The ITU’s groundbreaking resolution on the metaverse, explicitly referencing human rights.
These achievements underscore a growing recognition of the need to embed human rights into the fabric of technological development.
Insights from the Panel
Our speakers provided a wealth of perspectives and actionable insights:
- Marek Janovský called for breaking silos between human rights and technical communities, emphasizing the importance of youth and multistakeholder dialogue.
- Shirani De Clercq spotlighted the biases in AI systems, particularly the misrepresentation of Saudi women, and advocated for culturally inclusive datasets and ethical guidelines.
- Yoo Jin Kim stressed transparency and accountability in standards development, highlighting the role of global platforms like IGF and the WSIS in driving engagement.
- ‘Gbenga Sesan introduced the “5 Ps” framework—Prioritization, Participation, Partnerships, People, and Process—to center human rights in standardization.
- Florian Ostmann addressed systemic barriers to civil society participation and proposed tools like e-learning resources to make standard-setting more inclusive.
Takeaways and Next Steps
The session reinforced that human rights must be integrated at every stage of standards development. Key takeaways include:
- Capacity Building: Equip stakeholders, especially in developing regions, with the knowledge and tools to engage effectively.
- Collaboration: Foster partnerships across governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector.
- Innovation Grounded in Rights: Use human rights as a foundation for people-centered technological innovation.
- Breaking Barriers: Lower entry points for marginalized communities through systemic solutions like resource hubs and e-learning platforms.
A Future Built on Trust
As we look ahead, one thing is clear: embedding human rights in technical standards is not just an ethical imperative—it’s a strategic one. It strengthens innovation, fosters inclusivity, and builds the trust needed for these technologies to thrive.
This conversation is just the beginning, and I’m excited to see how we, as a global community, can translate these ideas into action. Let’s continue to bridge the gap between innovation and responsibility, ensuring that technology serves humanity’s best interests.
To learn more about the session and explore the full outcomes, visit this link or watch the video.