Source: Impact Policies

Impact Policies has issued a warning on the rapid and transformative impact that artificial intelligence and advanced surveillance technologies are having on the global human rights landscape. The article argues that the proliferation of AI-powered tools, from facial recognition systems in public spaces to predictive policing algorithms, is creating unprecedented challenges to fundamental rights such as privacy, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful assembly. These technologies enable mass data collection and analysis on a scale previously unimaginable, leading to a chilling effect on dissent and social activism. The risk of error and inherent bias in these systems can also lead to discriminatory outcomes, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and reinforcing systemic inequalities.

The report emphasizes that existing legal and regulatory frameworks for human rights protection are often ill-equipped to address the novel challenges posed by AI. The speed of technological advancement is far outpacing the development of adequate governance and oversight mechanisms. Consequently, there is an urgent need for international cooperation to establish new standards and robust regulations that place human rights at the center of AI design, development, and deployment. The article calls for greater transparency from both governments and private companies regarding their use of these technologies, as well as the implementation of strong accountability measures to provide effective remedies for individuals whose rights have been violated. Without such safeguards, the continued and unchecked expansion of AI surveillance threatens to fundamentally alter the relationship between the state and the individual, eroding democratic principles.