In a significant development, Nighat Dad, the Executive Director of the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF), has become a member of the United Nations Secretary-General’s high-level advisory board on Artificial Intelligence (AI), joining a distinguished group of experts from around the world.
A press release from the Digital Rights Foundation Pakistan, issued on Friday, outlines the board’s overarching theme: addressing the global governance of AI. The interim recommendations from the AI advisory body, set to be released by the end of the year, will concentrate on three primary areas: international AI governance, generative AI, and understanding the risks and challenges associated with deploying these technologies. Furthermore, the board will also explore opportunities for leveraging AI to accelerate the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Nighat Dad has expressed her enthusiasm for her role on the advisory board, emphasizing the honor she feels. She underscores the importance of the board’s focus on the rapidly evolving field of Artificial Intelligence, which presents both opportunities and significant challenges. Her intention is to provide a global perspective, particularly representing voices from various regions across the world.
Nighat Dad’s primary focus is on highlighting the critical significance of addressing potential human rights issues that may affect marginalized communities worldwide as new technologies are embraced. Her ultimate goal is to proactively address real-time threats and vulnerabilities experienced by these communities while shedding light on emerging issues through an intersectional lens within the context of global AI governance.
The board’s mission also involves emphasizing the need for member states to take purposeful and swift actions concerning current AI governance structures and those that may be adopted in the future. The primary objective is to develop AI governance mechanisms tailored to member states and, over time, support and facilitate the implementation of these mechanisms, with a strong emphasis on human rights and digital rights perspectives.
Given that many member states are still in the process of deploying AI-driven technologies, there is a clear need for education and awareness regarding the implications of these technologies. The board is committed to addressing this need through its meetings and by providing recommendations to member states.
