At the Fifth Samarkand Forum on Human Rights, experts discussed international approaches to regulating artificial intelligence and protecting human rights in the use of digital technologies.

The parallel session on “Artificial Intelligence, Digital Technologies and Human Rights: Ethics, Legal Regulation and International Cooperation” was organised by the Law Enforcement Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the National Centre for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Forum was dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the International Covenants on Human Rights and the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development. Its main theme was global partnership for human dignity, equality and sustainable development.

Participants considered ethical principles for the use of artificial intelligence, transparency and accountability of decisions made on the basis of algorithms, as well as issues related to preventing discrimination. The discussion also focused on protecting the right to privacy, freedom of expression and the right to access information.

The opportunities and risks of using artificial intelligence in public administration and the administration of justice, improving mechanisms for the legal regulation of digital technologies, and international cooperation in this area were discussed separately.

The session was moderated by UNESCO Representative in Uzbekistan Sara Noshadi and First Deputy Head of the Law Enforcement Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan Yevgeny Kolenko.

The session was attended by representatives of international organisations, government bodies, academic and educational institutions, and the expert community. The speakers included representatives of the Academy of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tilburg University (the Netherlands), the Regional Office for Central Asia of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Scientific Research Institute for the Development of Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The issues discussed are important for training law enforcement professionals working in the context of digital transformation and capable of protecting human rights when new technologies are applied. The Academy continues to develop international cooperation, academic dialogue and educational initiatives in this area.