Artificial intelligence and human rights
The use and abuse of AI and automated decision-making can not only facilitate human rights violations and exacerbate existing societal power imbalances, but also open new risks, disproportionately affecting marginalized people and communities. AI design, development, and deployment must respect human rights. We urge governments and companies to follow binding, enforceable legal frameworks rooted in human rights law and principles, not voluntary or self-regulatory ethics-based approaches.
Bodily harms: how AI and biometrics curtail human rights
This report explores how AI is driving the adoption of ableist technologies that marginalize anyone who doesn’t fit into their definition of a “normal” body.
QUICK DIGEST:
risks of the emerging AI and biometrics tech
SPOTLIGHT: EU AI ACT
Artificial Intelligence
The EU AI Act proposal: a timeline
A summary of our proposed amendments to the draft EU AI Act and a timeline of our related commentary and recommendations.
Artificial Intelligence
The EU AI Act: How to (truly) protect people on the move
The EU AI Act is supposed to protect the rights of everyone impacted by AI systems. But it ignores the systems impacting people on the move. Here are three steps policymakers can take to fix that problem.
Artificial Intelligence
The EU needs an Artificial Intelligence Act that protects fundamental rights
Access Now and over 110 civil society organisations have laid out proposals to make sure the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act addresses the real-world impacts of the use of artificial intelligence.
Artificial Intelligence
The EU should regulate AI on the basis of rights, not risks
Artificial intelligence and automated decision-making systems threaten our fundamental rights. Yet the EU is considering an approach to AI regulation that would substitute rights-based protections for a mere risk mitigation exercise by corporations with a vested interest in these systems. Here’s why that’s a grave mistake.
Resources
Artificial Intelligence
What you need to know about generative AI and human rights
Generative AI has been all over the headlines. But what are the human rights implications? Get the facts in our generative AI FAQ.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence: what are the issues for digital rights?
You may have a basic understanding of what AI is. But are you familiar with the issues it raises for your fundamental rights?
Artificial Intelligence
Fighting systemic racism in the digital age: a global challenge
On Human Rights Day of 2020, we highlight the mandate of E. Tendayi Achiume, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to fight systematic racism.
Digital Security
Track and target: FAQ on Myanmar CCTV cameras and facial recognition
The military junta in Myanmar is rolling out China-made CCTV cameras with facial recognition capabilities to intensify surveillance against the people.
Artificial Intelligence
Computers are binary, people are not: how AI systems undermine LGBTQ identity
Most of us interact with some sort of Artificial Intelligence (AI) system several times a day, whether it’s using the predictive text function on our phones or applying a selfie
Artificial Intelligence
Algorithmic decision-making in the U.S. needs accountability
Access Now endorses the Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2022, which will help combat algorithmic discrimination in defense of human rights.
Artificial Intelligence
Instead of banning facial recognition, some governments in Latin America want to make it official
Buenos Aires, Brasilia, and Uruguay are pushing for use of facial recognition systems for “public security,” seeking to authorize the invasive and harmful use of mass surveillance tools. Civil society must fight back.
Latest Updates
Kamery na školách porušujú práva detí, sú nebezpečné aj nelegálne, myslia si odborníci
EU pushes ahead with enforcing AI Act despite Donald Trump warnings
The EU’s AI bans come with big loopholes for police
Projekti ‘Smart City’ ngre kambana alarmi për survejim masiv në Shqipëri
EU lacks guidance on AI prohibitions, as rules start to apply
Ceasefire in Gaza: it’s time to end digital harms and deliver justice
As physical violence appears to be coming to a halt after 15 months in Gaza, Access Now further calls for a digital ceasefire.
Tackling the “black snakes” undermining digital rights worldwide
As 2025 gets underway, Access Now’s new Executive Director, Alejandro Mayoral Baños, PhD, shares his reflections on the “black snakes” threatening the digital rights movement.
Human rights and justice must be at the heart of the upcoming Commission guidelines on the AI Act implementation
This statement was written by the AI Act civil society and the #ProtectNotSurveil coalitions following the EU Commission consultation on the AI Act.
Submission on Sri Lanka’s draft National Strategy on AI
With increasing development of AI applications, it’s crucial for Sri Lanka to
develop a strong foundational guide for the use of emerging technology.
Commission sitting on detailed draft guidelines with prohibited AI deadline looming
Access Now: İsrail’in Filistin’e yönelik dijital işgaline karşı mücadele
Toward a digital ceasefire
The ascent of cyber warfare is weaponizing our digital world; it’s time to embrace the concept of “digital ceasefire.”
Big Tech and the risk of genocide in Gaza: what are companies doing?
Big Tech is playing a central role in enabling the relentless mass slaughter and destruction unleashed in the war in Gaza.
Public interest groups to Biden: you met with CEOs on AI, now meet us
Demand Progress Education Fund, Access Now, and partner organizations demand a meeting with the U.S. government to discuss the impact of data centers.
Submission to the United Nations Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity for the United Nations General Assembly 79th session report on “Artificial intelligence and international solidarity”
Five years for fundamental rights: Access Now’s vision for an EU digital rights agenda
As the EU’s new 2024-2029 mandate begins, we invite EU policymakers to join us on our mission of defending and extending digital rights of people and communities at risk around the world.