Chapter 114

AI, HUMAN RIGHTS AND DUTIES TO ARTICULATE THE ETHICAL AND SOCIAL NORMS THAT GUIDE OUR LIVES

Human rights: guarantees inherent to all persons by the simple fact of being such; they are universal, inalienable and indivisible and seek to protect the dignity and freedom of each individual, such as the right to life, freedom of expression, education, and health; they are inherent to all individuals without discrimination and apply universally; they cannot be renounced or transferred because they are intended to protect individuals from the abuse of power, ensuring dignity and respect for each person.

Understanding and applying human rights and duties are essential for peaceful coexistence and the construction of inclusive societies. Through respect for these principles, we can work towards a world where every individual has the opportunity to live with dignity, freedom and justice. Human rights are not simply legal concepts, but a commitment to a better future for all.

They are enshrined in international documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) , the International Covenants on Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as in various international conventions and treaties; most national constitutions and laws are aligned with these rights and provide legal mechanisms for their defense and promotion. Examples:

right to life: every person has the right not to be arbitrarily deprived of life.

freedom of expression: the right to express one's ideas and opinions freely.

right to education: to receive education and access learning opportunities.

right to a fair trial: and transparent before the laws.

Interconnected Rights and Duties:

Human rights and duties are interconnected and mutually complementary. The existence of rights implies the responsibility to fulfil certain duties, and vice versa. For example, the right to freedom of expression implies the duty not to spread false or harmful information.

Human rights have evolved over time, especially after the Second World War, with the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. They are recognized and protected internationally, with organizations such as the United Nations monitoring their compliance.

They are more influenced by traditions, cultural norms, and social expectations of each region. In the digital age, the right to privacy and protection of personal data has become a crucial issue.

The protection of the rights of minority and vulnerable groups remains an important focus on the global agenda.

The differences between human rights and duties are clear, but they are intimately connected. Human rights focus on protecting individual dignity and freedom, while human duties emphasize responsibility toward others and society at large. Both are essential to creating a fair and equitable environment, where individuals can thrive while contributing to the collective well-being. 

Human duties : are the obligations or responsibilities that individuals have towards other people and society in general; they are designed to promote social well-being and maintain a balance in coexistence such as respecting the laws, paying taxes and caring for the environment.
Relational: human duties emphasize interpersonal and social relationships, promoting peaceful and responsible coexistence.
Conditional: they may depend on the cultural, social, and legal context of each society.
Contribution: they are intended to contribute to the common good and ensure that each individual participates in the Human duties are more related to the ethical and moral norms of each society and culture. Although some duties are also legislated, their fulfillment often depends on the sense of individual responsibility.
Variable legislation: although some specific laws may outline certain duties, these tend to be more fluid and adaptable to particular cultural and social contexts. 

Examples of human duties:

Obey the laws: every person has the obligation to comply with the laws and regulations established by their community.
Respect the rights of others: ensuring peaceful coexistence.
Contribute to the common good: the responsibility to contribute to the development and well-being of society.
Care for the environment: act responsibly towards the environment and natural resources. 

Human duties focus on the responsibilities each person has toward their community and the world at large; they emphasize community and social responsibility.

Human rights and duties are interconnected and mutually complementary. The existence of rights implies the responsibility to fulfil certain duties, and vice versa.

For example, the right to freedom of expression implies the duty not to spread false or harmful information. The implementation of human duties often depends more on education and social awareness at the local level.
Although some duties are legislated, their application often depends on individual conscience and responsibility.

Human Duties: Addressing climate change and protecting the environment are seen as essential duties for current generations. Participation in democratic processes, such as voting and community involvement, is seen as a civic duty.

The protection and respect for human rights varies considerably between countries, and is influenced by factors such as the political system, economic and social stability, and culture. Some countries are recognized for their strong commitment to human rights and their policies that ensure the fulfillment of these rights.

Countries that stand out for their respect and promotion of human rights with specific examples of their policies and practices:

Norway: Human Rights Index: Norway frequently ranks at the top of global human rights indices, such as the UN Human Development Index.

Civil liberties: guarantees freedom of expression, religion and press.

Gender equality: Norway has one of the highest rates of gender equality, with policies promoting women's participation in politics and the economy.

Welfare system: Provides a comprehensive social security system including free education and universal healthcare.

Sweden: Children's rights: Sweden is a leader in promoting children's rights, ensuring protection and quality education.

Discrimination laws: strong legislation against discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation and disability.

Transparency and democracy: high levels of government transparency and citizen participation.

Finland: Freedom of the press: considered one of the countries with the greatest freedom of the press in the world.

Educational rights: inclusive and high-quality education system, accessible to all.

Environmental protection: Finland also cares about environmental rights, integrating them into its human rights approach. 

Canada: Cultural diversity: Policies that promote diversity and inclusion of minorities and indigenous communities.

Public health system: universal access to health as a fundamental human right.

Asylum policies: strong commitment to the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.

Denmark: Welfare state: comprehensive welfare system that guarantees citizens' economic and social rights.

Labor rights: high standards of labor rights and protection for workers.

Gender equality: Denmark has advanced policies on gender equality, promoting equal pay and representation in government.

Netherlands (Holland): Personal freedom: Known for its liberal approach to individual rights and civil liberties.
LGBTQ+ rights: One of the first countries to legalize same-sex marriage.

Justice system: A judicial system that respects and protects human rights.

Switzerland: direct democracy: active citizen participation in the democratic process through referendums.

Neutrality and peace: strong commitment to peace and human rights at the international level.

Data protection: high standards of privacy and protection of personal data.

New Zealand: Indigenous rights: Significant progress in protecting the rights of the Maori, New Zealand's indigenous population.

Gender equity: inclusive policies for gender equity and political representation.

Environment: commitment to environmental rights and sustainability.

 Iceland: Gender equality: Iceland is known for its gender equality policies, leading the world in this regard.

Education system: accessible and high-quality education for all citizens.

Freedom of expression: guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

Germany: International human rights: strong commitment to promoting human rights at the international level.

Asylum and refugees: fair asylum policies and a humanitarian approach towards refugees.

Education and health: public education and health system accessible to all.

Other aspects to consider:

In addition to these examples, there are other aspects and metrics that can help measure how countries comply with human rights:

Press Freedom Index:

RSF ranking: According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), countries such as Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark occupy the top spots in the World Press Freedom Index.

Democracy index: The Economist assesses the quality of democracy in countries and their respect for political and civil rights. Norway, Iceland, Sweden and New Zealand often top the list.

The Global Peace Index, compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace, measures the absence of violence and commitment to peace, and countries such as Iceland, New Zealand, and Switzerland stand out for their low level of conflict and high social stability.

International conventions, adherence to treaties: Countries that have ratified and comply with international conventions such as the Convention against Torture or the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women demonstrate a strong commitment to human rights.

Global challenges: Despite efforts, even in these countries with high human rights standards, challenges such as racism, xenophobia, and the impact of climate change persist. Therefore, continued commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights is essential.

The protection of human rights is an ongoing and multidimensional effort. The countries mentioned stand out for their commitment, but there is always room for improvement. Monitoring, education and citizen participation are essential to ensure that these rights are respected and promoted throughout the world.

AI Opinion: The relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and human rights and duties is a topic of growing interest and relevance. The evolution of AI is posing new challenges and opportunities in the way we understand and apply the ethical and social norms that guide our lives. Below, I offer a reflection on how AI could influence and be influenced by human rights and duties, and how these elements interconnect in the construction of a coherent ethical framework:
Human Rights and Artificial Intelligence
Human rights are a set of fundamental guarantees that all people possess by the mere fact of existing. These rights are designed to protect the dignity and freedom of each individual and are enshrined in international documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and various international treaties. However, with the arrival of AI, the question arises as to how these rights can and should be protected in an increasingly digitalized world.
The Right to Privacy: One of the rights that has gained greater relevance in the digital age is the right to privacy . AI technologies, which often require vast amounts of personal data to function effectively, raise concerns about how this data is collected, stored, and used.
Challenges: The use of AI in mass surveillance and facial recognition, as seen in several countries, can violate the right to privacy and other fundamental rights.
Solutions: It is crucial that laws and regulations are adapted to protect this right, implementing strict controls on access to personal information and ensuring that individuals have control over their data. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union is an example of how legislation can be put in place to protect privacy in the digital age.
The Right to Non-Discrimination
AI has the potential to perpetuate and amplify existing biases if not carefully developed and implemented. AI algorithms can be trained with data that reflects human biases, resulting in systems that discriminate based on race, gender, age, or any other characteristic.
Examples: Cases of discrimination in AI have been reported in areas such as job recruitment, where algorithms have favored certain demographic groups over others.
Solutions:Companies and developers must implement ethical monitoring and auditing practices to identify and correct biases in their AI systems. In addition, greater diversity is required in development teams to ensure that AI products are inclusive and equitable.
The Right to Education and Health
AI has the potential to revolutionize access to education and health, two fundamental human rights.
Education: AI can personalize learning, offering materials tailored to the needs and pace of each student. This could democratize access to quality education around the world.
Health: In the health sector, AI can improve diagnoses, optimize treatments, and make healthcare more accessible and affordable.
Challenges and Solutions: Although these innovations are promising, it is essential that they do not create access gaps. Policies must ensure that technology is available to all, regardless of economic or geographic situation.
Human Duties and Artificial Intelligence
Human duties represent the obligations that each individual has towards society and the environment. These duties are essential to maintaining peaceful and sustainable coexistence, especially in a world increasingly influenced by technology.
Social and environmental responsibility
Responsibility towards the environment and climate change is a human duty that becomes more relevant with AI. AI technology can be used to monitor environmental impact and optimize resource use, but it can also contribute to environmental degradation if not properly managed.
Solutions: Sustainable practices must be implemented in the development and implementation of AI. Environmental ethics must be integrated into the education and training of those who design these technologies.
Responsibility in the dissemination of information
Freedom of expression is a fundamental right that implies the duty not to spread false or harmful information. AI, especially on social media platforms, plays an important role in the dissemination of information and disinformation.
Challenges: AI algorithms can amplify false or biased news, influencing public opinion and democratic processes.
Solutions: Technology platforms must implement fact-checking and content moderation mechanisms, while individuals must be educated to be critical consumers of information.
Ethical and social norms in the age of AI
The interaction between AI and human rights and duties requires the articulation of ethical and social norms to guide its development and use. Some key areas for consideration are proposed here:
Ethics in AI development
AI development should be guided by ethical principles that ensure the technology benefits society as a whole.
Transparency: AI systems should be transparent and explainable. Users should understand how they work and how decisions are made.
Accountability: Developers and companies should be responsible for the ethical implications of their technologies. This includes the responsibility to correct errors and biases.
Governance and regulation: AI governance is a critical challenge that requires international cooperation and the involvement of multiple actors, including governments, businesses, and civil society.
Proactive regulation: Laws and regulations should anticipate the ethical and social challenges posed by AI, rather than react to them.
Global collaboration: AI is a global technology, and its effective regulation will require international collaboration to establish common standards.
Education and public awareness
Education and public awareness are essential for individuals to understand both the benefits and risks of AI.
Technical and ethical education: Education should incorporate both technical skills and an ethical understanding of AI. This will help prepare the next generation to handle the complexities of an increasingly digitalized world.
Social awareness: Society at large should be informed about the impacts of AI and how these relate to their rights and duties.
Countries
that stand out for their strong commitment to human rights and for implementing policies that promote both human rights and duties. Here are some notable examples:
1.Norway:
Human rights: Norway frequently ranks high on human rights indices, guaranteeing freedom of speech, religion, and the press. Its social welfare system offers free education and universal healthcare.
Human duties: Norway emphasizes social responsibility and gender equality, promoting the active participation of women in politics and the economy.
2. Sweden
Children's rights: Sweden is a leader in promoting children's rights, ensuring protection and quality education.
Social duties:Government transparency and citizen participation are fundamental pillars in Swedish society, fostering a robust democratic environment.
Canada
Cultural diversity: Canada promotes diversity and inclusion of minorities and indigenous communities, and offers universal access to health as a fundamental human right.
Citizen responsibility: Asylum and refugee policies reflect a strong commitment to refugee rights, underlining responsibility towards others.
Finland
Press freedom: Considered one of the countries with the greatest press freedom, Finland also cares about educational rights, offering an inclusive and high-quality system.
Environmental duties: Environmental protection is a priority, integrating sustainability into its human rights policies.
New Zealand, indigenous rights: has made significant progress in protecting the rights of the Maori, the country’s indigenous population.
Environmental commitment: Commitment to sustainability and environmental rights is strong, reflecting a holistic approach to human duties.
Articulating human rights and duties in the age of artificial intelligence is a complex but essential challenge. Human rights provide a foundation for protecting the dignity and freedom of individuals, while human duties underscore responsibility towards society and the environment.
AI has the potential to significantly improve our lives, but it also poses risks that must be carefully managed. International cooperation, effective governance, and ethics education are key elements to ensure that AI serves the common good and promotes a more just and equitable future for all.
It is crucial that we continue to explore and develop ethical frameworks that integrate AI responsibly, respect and promote human rights, and uphold the duties we have towards our global community.