top of page
Search
Dec 312 min read

New Rules & Roles: Engaging a Human Rights Perspective in Artificial Intelligence

How AI Governance Can Uphold Human Rights in a Rapidly Evolving Landscape: Thought Leadership by #SustXGlobal50 Awardee Isobel O'Connell, Canada


Isobel O'Connell, METAGNOSIS Consulting, Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Sustainable Finance, Microfinance, Sustainability Career, Sustainability Professional, Employee Sustainability, Sustainability, Environment, Economy, Wildfire, Wildfires, Wildfire Season, Plastic Pollution, Microplastics, Climate Mitigation, Climate Strategy, Electricity, Fuel Supply, Industry, Buildings, Transportation, Energy, Agriculture, Forests, Carbon, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Removal, Carbon Capture, Superpollutants, Business, Sustainable Business, Social Entrepreneurship, Purpose, Culture, Purposeful Leadership, Business Value, Business Growth, Corporate Sustainability, Business Sustainability, Sustainability Fragmentation, Sustainability Journalism, Climate Journalism, Climate Reporting, Climate Journalists, Sustainability Journalists, Communications, Sustainability Communications, Climate Communications, Sustainability Media, Climate Media, Art, Media, Books, Music, Painting, Crafts, Wellness, Wellbeing, Human Wellbeing, Environmental Wellbeing, Creative Expression, Global Challenges, Decarbonization, Thought Leadership, ESG, Carbon, Sustainability Consultancy, Sustainability Consulting, Carbon, Emissions, Global Warming, Climate Change, Sustainable Business, Sustainability Reporting Standards, Sustainability Disclosure Standards, ISSB, IFRS, Accounting, Sustainability Accounting, FSA Credential Holder, GRI, Resilience, Climate Adaptation, Climate Resilience, ESG, Industry, Sustainability Management, Sustainable Finance, Sustainable Investment, Sustainability Reporting, Capitalism, Policy, Data, Corporate Sustainability, Sustainability Plan, Corporate Sustainability Plan, Chief Sustainability Officer, Leadership, Sustainability Leadership, Renewable Energy, Management, Strategy, Sustainable Living, Climate Leadership, Climate Plan, Climate Strategy, Sustainability Strategy, Strategy, The SustainabilityX® Magazine

 

Listen to this and other articles from The SustainabilityX® Magazine on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

 
 

Summary


In this thought leadership article, "New Rules & Roles: Engaging a Human Rights Perspective in Artificial Intelligence," Isobel O'Connell (Canada), a recipient of The SustainabilityX® Magazine Global 50 Women In Sustainability Awards™ 2024 delves into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and human rights, highlighting the profound impacts AI has on civil, political, cultural, and economic rights. It emphasizes the need for AI-specific human rights assessments and frameworks grounded in international principles such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). With examples from global AI governance efforts, the piece outlines practical recommendations for states, businesses, civil society, and investors to ensure that AI development and applications prioritize human dignity and ethical innovation.

 

Over the last decade the world has seen growing adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems and technologies as States and companies look to create efficiencies and innovations in how things are done. This increase in use has also seen criticisms aimed at the developers and users of AI technology, and especially true to the growing acceptance that AI technology carries both positive and negative human rights impacts, including civil and political rights, as well as cultural, economic, social and environmental rights. AI systems may also have unique impacts on groups whose rights are protected in specific international legal instruments, including women, ethnic minorities, children, people with disabilities, and migrants (1).


It can be argued that AI is the most transformative technology that has developed following the endorsement of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in 2011. 

Isobel O'Connell, METAGNOSIS Consulting, Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Sustainable Finance, Microfinance, Sustainability Career, Sustainability Professional, Employee Sustainability, Sustainability, Environment, Economy, Wildfire, Wildfires, Wildfire Season, Plastic Pollution, Microplastics, Climate Mitigation, Climate Strategy, Electricity, Fuel Supply, Industry, Buildings, Transportation, Energy, Agriculture, Forests, Carbon, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Removal, Carbon Capture, Superpollutants, Business, Sustainable Business, Social Entrepreneurship, Purpose, Culture, Purposeful Leadership, Business Value, Business Growth, Corporate Sustainability, Business Sustainability, Sustainability Fragmentation, Sustainability Journalism, Climate Journalism, Climate Reporting, Climate Journalists, Sustainability Journalists, Communications, Sustainability Communications, Climate Communications, Sustainability Media, Climate Media, Art, Media, Books, Music, Painting, Crafts, Wellness, Wellbeing, Human Wellbeing, Environmental Wellbeing, Creative Expression, Global Challenges, Decarbonization, Thought Leadership, ESG, Carbon, Sustainability Consultancy, Sustainability Consulting, Carbon, Emissions, Global Warming, Climate Change, Sustainable Business, Sustainability Reporting Standards, Sustainability Disclosure Standards, ISSB, IFRS, Accounting, Sustainability Accounting, FSA Credential Holder, GRI, Resilience, Climate Adaptation, Climate Resilience, ESG, Industry, Sustainability Management, Sustainable Finance, Sustainable Investment, Sustainability Reporting, Capitalism, Policy, Data, Corporate Sustainability, Sustainability Plan, Corporate Sustainability Plan, Chief Sustainability Officer, Leadership, Sustainability Leadership, Renewable Energy, Management, Strategy, Sustainable Living, Climate Leadership, Climate Plan, Climate Strategy, Sustainability Strategy, Strategy, The SustainabilityX® Magazine
Figure #1 outlines the UNGPs three pillars that serve as a guiding framework, not law, to help states and corporations protect and respect human rights of affected individuals (2).

Additional, international human rights laws that can support addressing the ethical challenges posed by AI include: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Each of these instruments set out fundamental rights that must be upheld in the face of technological advancements.


AI can significantly impact human right in both positively and negatively. Human rights impact assessments conceived specifically for AI are needed to prevent potential harms and reap the benefits of the technology. It is clear that AI will have a profound impact on lives and on human rights -from freedom of expression, privacy, discrimination, or labour rights, to absolute right of freedom of thought (3).


This article outlines the importance of human rights for AI governance; and recommends practical steps that States, business, international organizations, civil society and investors can take to ensure that human rights are the foundation for AI governance in future.


Isobel O'Connell, METAGNOSIS Consulting, Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Sustainable Finance, Microfinance, Sustainability Career, Sustainability Professional, Employee Sustainability, Sustainability, Environment, Economy, Wildfire, Wildfires, Wildfire Season, Plastic Pollution, Microplastics, Climate Mitigation, Climate Strategy, Electricity, Fuel Supply, Industry, Buildings, Transportation, Energy, Agriculture, Forests, Carbon, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Removal, Carbon Capture, Superpollutants, Business, Sustainable Business, Social Entrepreneurship, Purpose, Culture, Purposeful Leadership, Business Value, Business Growth, Corporate Sustainability, Business Sustainability, Sustainability Fragmentation, Sustainability Journalism, Climate Journalism, Climate Reporting, Climate Journalists, Sustainability Journalists, Communications, Sustainability Communications, Climate Communications, Sustainability Media, Climate Media, Art, Media, Books, Music, Painting, Crafts, Wellness, Wellbeing, Human Wellbeing, Environmental Wellbeing, Creative Expression, Global Challenges, Decarbonization, Thought Leadership, ESG, Carbon, Sustainability Consultancy, Sustainability Consulting, Carbon, Emissions, Global Warming, Climate Change, Sustainable Business, Sustainability Reporting Standards, Sustainability Disclosure Standards, ISSB, IFRS, Accounting, Sustainability Accounting, FSA Credential Holder, GRI, Resilience, Climate Adaptation, Climate Resilience, ESG, Industry, Sustainability Management, Sustainable Finance, Sustainable Investment, Sustainability Reporting, Capitalism, Policy, Data, Corporate Sustainability, Sustainability Plan, Corporate Sustainability Plan, Chief Sustainability Officer, Leadership, Sustainability Leadership, Renewable Energy, Management, Strategy, Sustainable Living, Climate Leadership, Climate Plan, Climate Strategy, Sustainability Strategy, Strategy, The SustainabilityX® Magazine
Figure #2 shows the representation of stakeholders involved in the regulatory process mainly States, business entities, international organizations and civil society (including academics). It is worth mentioning that investors are another stakeholder group included in this article, but were left out of this figure (4).

Defining what the ‘Artificial Intelligence’ Regulatory and Policy Landscape Actually Means


The regulatory and policy landscape for AI is an emerging issue in national jurisdictions globally. Since early 2016, many national governments have begun adopting strategies, actions plans and policy papers on AI. These documents cover a wide range of topics such as regulation and governance, as well as industrial strategy, research, talent and infrastructure. Regarding the three largest economies, it has been said that the United States is following a market-driven approach, China is advancing a state-driven approach, and the EU is pursuing a rights-driven approach (5).


Currently many States are considering how best to legislate the growing emergence of AI technology in view of its human rights impacts. States are aware that human rights issues with AI technologies must be addressed (6). Internationally, this is evident in declarations by the G7’s International Guiding Principles on AI, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s  (OECD) Principles for Trustworthy AI, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Recommendations on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. For example, the European Union is also moving forward with legislation that recognizes the importance of human rights in the context of AI. The AI Act, 2024, promises to “enhance and promote the protection” of seven rights guaranteed by the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights (7). And the Digital Services Act introduces safeguards that also enhance the protection of a number of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and information, freedom to conduct a business, and the right to nondiscrimination (8).


The USA’s NIST AI Risk Management Framework (a standard, not a law) addresses the identification and mitigation of discriminatory bias. Furthermore, on October 4, 2022, the White House announced the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights (AIBoR). It shows that the White House is interested in tackling a broader set of issues than just privacy and anti-discrimination. The AIBoR also addresses two other human rights principles: the right to be protected from unsafe or ineffective AI systems and the right to receive notice and explanation of algorithmic decisions impacting individuals’ lives (9).


There is currently no legislation in force specific to AI in Canada. However, on June 15, 2023, Canada made its first foray into AI regulation (10). Canada’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Act, 2023 (AIDA), proposed by the Minister of Industry, Science and Economic Development (ISED) is currently at the committee stage as part of Bill C-27, Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022 (11).  With these recent legislative and investment developments, Canada is positioning itself as a global leader in ethical AI governance (12). As the regulatory framework continues to evolve, the country is set to foster innovation while protecting public trust and ensuring that AI technologies are used responsibly. The Government of Canada has indicated that its consultation process will result in the provisions of AIDA coming into force no sooner than 2025 (13).

 

HAVE YOU READ?

 

Current Private Sector Engagement


Companies have been responding to growing stakeholder concerns around AI impact on human rights by developing what is widely known as AI Principle frameworks (14). This approach can be seen across all sectors and types of industries, with technology companies often identified as early adapters. Examples include Google with its AI Principles, Microsoft with its Responsible AI standard and Sony Group AI Ethics Guidelines.


These frameworks outline sets of values, principles and practices that companies are adapting to prevent, mitigate and remediate the impacts of their AI technologies on human rights. Due to the voluntary nature of these frameworks, the quality and robustness is varied and it is not always evident what processes, systems and governance sits behind these (15).


A recent research paper on AI governance and human rights produced by International Law Programme outlines some further actions that could be taken by companies to address human rights impacts include:


  • Establishing senior oversight and accountability of AI systems and processes,

  • Recruitment of human rights experts to join AI ethics team to encourage multi-disciplinary thinking,

  • Development of a human rights-based approach to AI ethics and impact assessment,

  • Creating a decision-making structure that allows human rights to be monitored and raised on an ongoing basis,

  • Develop internal and external communication on AI to provide explanation and transparency on use so that affected people can understand AI assisted decision making (16).


One gap in human rights that continues to exist is the question of “remedy”. The UNGPs lay out the right to a remedy and reparation for victims of violations of international human rights law. To meet these standards, complaint mechanisms need to be easily and directly accessible to those that are impacted, and remedy needs to be timely and effective (17).


Practical Recommendations for Human Rights and Artificial Intelligence Governance for all Stakeholders


Whether any State or business governance actually achieves its stated AI goals, and whether it does so in a way that avoids stifling AI innovation, will depend a lot on how it places human rights in AI governance whether in States, business, international organizations, civil society and investors (18). The following practical actions by each stakeholder groups are necessary:


For States:


  • Ensure adequate understanding of human rights among government officials and place human rights at the heart of AI regulation and policies, by establishing a dedicated office or via an existing mechanism;

  • Equip teams involved in government procurement services with expertise in AI and human rights such as using contracting policy and procurement conditions to increase compliance in business,

  • Establish a discussion forum on AI governance that engages all stakeholders, including human rights advocates, to foster better understanding and mutual benefit from others’ perspectives,

  • Ensure that technical standards bodies of algorithmic impact assessments and audit processes consider human rights when developing and monitoring AI governance,

  • Consider cross-cutting regulation to ensure that AI deployed by both the public and private sectors meets human rights standards,

  • Put in place human rights-compatible standards and oversight for audits, as well as adequate provision of remedy for alleged breaches,

  • Educate the public on the vital role of human rights in protecting individual freedoms as AI technology develops,

  • Ensure that all uses of AI are explainable and transparent, such that people affected can find out how an AI or AI-informed decision was, or will be made,

  • Provide adequate resources for national human rights bodies and regulators, to champion the role of human rights in AI governance, 

  • Incentivise AI development that benefits society as widely as possible and contributes to implementation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and

  • Liaise with other States and international organizations to understand the impact of international human rights law on the development and implementation of AI.


For Business:


  • Continue to promote AI ethics and responsible business agendas, while acknowledging the important complementary role of existing human rights frameworks,

  • Champion a holistic commitment to all human rights standards from the C-suite. Promote a corporate mindset that shows human rights as a useful tool rather than a constraint on business, 

  • Recruit people with human rights expertise to join AI teams to encourage multi-disciplinary thinking and spread awareness of human rights company-wide, 

  • Conduct human rights due diligence and adopt a human rights-based approach to AI ethics, impact and vendor assessments that allow decision-making structures human rights risks to be monitored, flagged and acted upon on an ongoing basis, 

  • Ensure uses of AI are explainable and transparent, so that people affected can find out how an AI or AI-assisted decision was, or will be, made, and

  • Establish a mechanism for individuals to seek remedy if they are dissatisfied with the outcome of a decision made or informed by AI.


For the UN and other international organizations:


  • Adopt consensus principles on AI and human rights that clarify the duties of states and responsibilities of companies in this field, as well as the requirements for remedy,

  • Establish a new multi-stakeholder forum that brings together tech and human rights communities with technical standards bodies, to discuss challenges of human rights and AI, 

  • Ensure that all parts of the UN align with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in placing human rights at the centre of their work on technology,

  • Continue to promote UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, 

  • Advance dialogue and approaches to the implications of AI for human rights and support national governments in their governance of AI, and

  • Integrate AI into development and capacity-building activities to accelerate implementation of the SDGs.

For Civil Society:


  • Push for inclusion in the AI governance conversation, including by fostering connections with the software development community and corporate public policy teams;

  • Debunk human rights myths such as human rights are not radical; do not stymie innovation but can support establishing a level playing field,

  • Demonstrate the positive role of human rights as a regulatory system with reference to existing processes of human rights due diligence and remedy,

  • Encourage inter-disciplinary engagement at universities and raise awareness of human rights in technology-focused studies, 

  • Facilitate collaboration between civil society groups and the software development community on the development and use of AI to achieve of the SDGs,

  • Test the implications of human rights for AI through strategic litigation.


For Investors:


  • Include assessment of the implications of AI for human rights in ESG investment metrics,

  • Explore the evolving ESG investment landscape for AI resilience, innovation, and enhanced market reputation,

  • Examine the diverse interests of various stakeholder groups and learn how to harmonize these interests to create a collaborative and supportive AI ecosystem, 

  • Learn how shareholders are driving companies toward responsible AI practices, and

  • Examine ESG-related shareholder proposals that encourage companies to adopt sustainable strategies and improve performance.


As AI evolves and humans adapt, business and human rights frameworks can become the core concept for regulating AI application and development. They may also provide a universally agreed set of norms for assessing and addressing the effects of AI on individuals and society, and the responsibilities of  States, business civil society and investors, covering all human rights and all business enterprises (19).


By aligning AI development with international human rights frameworks, issues such as addressing privacy, bias, and economic impact, and adhering to ethical principles, can be navigated effectively. States, business, civil society and investors are already deploying AI to assist in making decisions that can have major consequences for the lives of individual citizens and society. The goal is to harness the benefits of AI while safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals.


As AI continues to shape the human experience, human rights must be central to its governance. There is nothing to fear, and much to gain, from taking human rights as the baseline for AI governance.

 

References


  1. Zaidan, Esmet & Ibrahi, Imad (2024-09-01). “AI Governance in a Complex and Rapidly Changing Regulatory Landscape: A Global Perspective”. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 

  2. Shift Project (2011) “UN Guiding Principles 101”. New York, USA. (FIGURE)

  3. Risse, Mathias (2019-06). “The Future Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Humans and Human Rights”. Vol. 33, Issue 2, Pages 141-158. Harvard Kennedy School of Government. 

  4. Chinen M (2023) “The International Governance of Artificial Intelligence”. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, UK (FIGURE)

  5. Bradford, Anu (2023-06-27). "The Race to Regulate Artificial Intelligence". Foreign Affairs. ISSN 0015-7120. 

  6. Parizkova, Petra (2025-06-19). “Understanding the human rights issues associated with artificial intelligence”. SLR Consulting Insights Blog. 

  7. Principles and rights for EU citizens and residents in the EU that relate to dignity, liberty, equality, solidarity, citizenship and justice.

  8. Jones, Kate (2023-01-19). “AI governance and human rights: Resetting the Relationship”. Chatham House. ISBN: 978 1 78413 549 2

  9. Lima-Strong, Cristiano (2022-10-30). “Biden Signs Artificial Intelligence Executive Order: The Most Expansive Regulation Yet”. Washington Post

  10. Public Awareness Working Group of the Advisory Council on AI (2023), "Learning Together for Responsible Artificial Intelligence." Canada.ca

  11. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (2023). “The Artificial Intelligence and Data Act – Companion document”. Canada.ca

  12. Collin, Sara (2024-08-28). “Canada Makes First Foray into AI Regulation”. Best Lawyers

  13. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (2023). “The Artificial Intelligence and Data Act – Companion document”. Canada.ca

  14. Parizkova, Petra (2025-06-19). “Understanding the human rights issues associated with artificial intelligence”. SLR Consulting Insights Blog.

  15. Parizkova, Petra (2025-06-19). “Understanding the human rights issues associated with artificial intelligence”. SLR Consulting Insights Blog.

  16. Jones, Kate (2023-01-19). “AI governance and human rights: Resetting the Relationship”. Chatham House. ISBN: 978 1 78413 549 2

  17. Stockhem, Ophélie (2022-8-22), “Access to Justice and Effective Remedy in the EU AI Act: The State of Play”. Centre for Democracy & Technology Blog

  18. Jillson, E. (2021-04-19), “Aiming for truth, fairness, and equity in your company’s use of AI”. Federal Trade Commission Business Blog 

  19. Risse, Mathias (2019-06). “The Future Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Humans and Human Rights”. Vol. 33, Issue 2, Pages 141-158. Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

 

About The SustainabilityX® Magazine


The SustainabilityX® Magazine is an award-winning, digital, female-founded, and female-led non-profit initiative bringing the environment and economy together for a sustainable future through dialogue. Founded on May 8, 2016 and inspired by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by Canada’s Top 30 Under 30 in Sustainability Leadership awardee, Supriya Verma, the digital media initiative focuses on approaching the world’s most pressing challenges with a holistic, integrated, systems-based perspective as opposed to the traditional and ineffective siloed approach with a single lens on interdisciplinary topics like climate and energy. This initiative ultimately seeks to explore how to effectively bring the environment and economy together through intellectual, insightful dialogue and thought-provoking discussion amongst individuals across sectors taking an interdisciplinary and integrated approach to untangling the intricate web of sustainability.

The SustainabilityX® Magazine is based upon the four pillars of sustainability: Environmental Stewardship which emphasizes improved environmental health, Economic Prosperity which emphasizes economic growth without the element of capitalism, Social Inclusion which emphasizes EDI for BIPOC and LGBTQ communities and marginalized, vulnerable populations, and Just Governance which emphasizes the equal rule of law via responsible political leadership to create fair systems for all. Identifying the diverse factors involved in sustainability, how they interact and how the disciplines are interconnected will help accelerate local, national, and international sustainability goals – in simpler words, aligning with The SustainabilityX® Magazine’s mission of bringing the environment and economy together for a sustainable future through dialogue for a sustainable future. Whether you have a background in science, engineering, business, law, politics, media and entertainment, or beyond, your voice matters.


Show your support for independent, high-impact publications by becoming a subscribing member and help power international conversations that matter.


The SustainabilityX® Magazine is a proud member of the Sustainable Journalism Partnership, serves as a cause-based media partner for various events such as Circular City Week New York, and officially delivers remarks at international conferences such as UNESCO’s annual World Press Freedom Day Conference. SustainabilityX® is a brand of the non-profit social business SPSX Group.


SUSTAINABILITYX AND SUSTAINABILITYX DESIGNS ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS. ®


Comments

bottom of page