Artificial intelligence and the rights of persons with disabilities: Report of the UN Special Rapporteur



Artificial intelligence and the rights of persons with disabilities: Report of the UN Special Rapporteur

The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities Gerard Quinn has published a thematic report on Artificial intelligence (AI) and the rights of persons with disabilities. It addresses the rapid growth in the use of artificial intelligence, automated decision-making and machine-learning technologies from a disability rights perspective. It concludes that:

  • AI can be a force for good for persons with disabilities, especially when tied to the achievement of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
  • the negative impacts of AI on persons with disabilities must be acknowledged and addressed by States, business, national human rights institutions, civil society, and organisations of persons with disabilities working together.
  • more evidence and greater consideration of the right and obligations contained in the CRPD and other human rights treaties is needed.
  • persons with disabilities and their representative organizations must be involved in the development, procurement and deployment of AI systems and in the policy-making process. This is required by the CRPD and is necessary for achieving the best from AI and avoiding the worst.

The report will be presented at the upcoming 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council during an interactive dialogue scheduled to take place on 14 March 2022 (planned for 10:00-13:00 CET), which will be made accessible including via live captioning and international sign interpretation, and streamed live on the UN WebTv.

A separate launch side event will also take place afterwards (details about it will be shared on social media/Twitter: @SR_Disability).

Disability perspective on Regulating Artificial Intelligence

Contact:

Mher Hakobyan
EDF Accessibility Officer
mher.hakobyan@edf-feph.org