Amnesty International Issues Warning on Artificial Intelligence’s Role in Exacerbating Racism and Discrimination
In a recent report presented by Amnesty International, the organization has raised concerns about the negative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on exacerbating racism and discrimination, ultimately undermining fundamental human rights. Despite being promoted as a solution for security and anti-discrimination efforts, AI technologies have been found to amplify existing issues rather than resolve them.
According to Katia Roux, an advocacy officer for technology and human rights at Amnesty International, AI technologies have the potential to perpetuate breaches of fundamental rights by fueling discrimination based on race or ethnicity. Roux highlighted instances where algorithms, including those used by digital giants like Meta (Facebook), have amplified violent content during conflicts in regions like Ethiopia and Myanmar, inciting hatred and division.
Moreover, newer technologies such as generative AIs have been found to disrupt political life by creating “deepfakes” that spread misinformation and manipulate public opinion. Instances in the United Kingdom and the United States have shown how AI-generated content can disrupt elections and political processes.
Amnesty International also criticized the use of facial recognition and emotion detection tools by governments, citing examples in Europe where these technologies have led to unequal treatment and discrimination. Despite the adoption of the Artificial Intelligence Act by the European Parliament, which aims to regulate AI use across various sectors, the organization believes that more stringent measures are needed to address the harmful impact of AI technologies.
As the debate on AI regulation continues, concerns remain about the unchecked use of these technologies for surveillance purposes, with France becoming the first country in the European Union to legalize AI for surveillance. Amnesty International warns that without proper regulation and oversight, AI systems could become a permanent fixture in everyday life, further eroding privacy and human rights.