Science & Technology

As computers surpass human intelligence and take on greater responsibilities, should they be given rights also?

Technology is very much part of what we do. It is an integrated part of how we think today and not something that one can push away. The question is: how do we make sure that we manage it to serve our purposes from a human rights point of view?

Welcome to our third Curated series, which asks ‘Is human rights prepared for digital technologies?’ The series marks our first joint venture. It has been developed as a partnership between Human Rights Preparedness and asiablogs, and will be published in parallel by both blogs.

To mark its first anniversary, GC Human Rights Preparedness is introducing a new feature. It is called Editor’s Choice. We hope you enjoy it.

An effective social assistance programme is a must for countries around the world, including Indonesia, to make sure the most vulnerable groups in society are fully taken care of. Indonesia’s experience of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 illustrates the key role that local government can play in this regard, in particular how it can harness technology in the service of human rights.

COVID-19 has highlighted an increasingly powerful and intrusive digital culture. While data protection is often sacrificed for the public good in emergencies, it is important to recognise and safeguard its vital role in defending other rights, particularly in difficult times.

Many of us use phrases like ‘law and ethics’ and ‘law, ethics and rights’. They trip off the tongue; they seem both useful and ordinary or unexceptional. But is there cause for concern as regards their impact on ethics, law in general and human rights law in particular?

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted barriers to Internet access in Africa. Overcoming these barriers requires more attention to human rights-based approaches and creative collaborations.

Research in genetics and medicine must seek to offer relief from suffering and improve the health of individuals and humankind as a whole. The COVID-19 pandemic is a severe test at the local, national and international level in terms of the interaction between genetics science, social preparedness and human rights, in particular the rights to health and non-discrimination.

The emergence of coronavirus has meant an increased dependence on technology. What does this mean for gender equality and the human rights of African women with limited use and access to the internet?