Smart Information Systems and Democracy, Freedom of Thought, Control and Manipulation

The separation of powers, independent courts and freedom of expression and thought are examples of what we understand by “democracy”. Democracy is also interrelated with the growing use and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Smart Information Systems (SIS). The future of democracy in the AI era is a controversial topic. SHERPA, recognising the contributions SIS can make to democracy and protection of freedom of thought and expression but also the vulnerabilities that exist in relation to AI, dedicated a chapter on SIS and Democracy in its Human Rights analysis deliverable which provides a short overview of current international legal instruments related to recognition and protection of democratic rights, as well as positive and negative aspects emanating from the impact of AI on democratic foundations of our society.

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SIS and Security, Dual Use, and Misuse

The SHERPA project explored the implications of the rapid developments of AI systems on human rights. This briefing paper addresses the threats these modern developments pose and the need to regulate and monitor their development across different sectors to ensure compliance with human rights.

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Smart Information Systems and The Environment

AI advancements could harm the environment and the introduction of new technologies brings with it irreversible ecological consequences. An important fact worth mentioning is that electronic waste is expected to reach 52.2 million tons in 2021. Moreover, the UN Environment Program (UNEP) reported in 2015 that 60 to 90 percent of the world’s electronic waste is illegally dumped and that in 2014, an estimated 42 million tons of e-waste were generated. The UN Commission on Human Rights, in resolution 2003/71 recognizes that the protection of the environment and sustainable development can contribute to human well-being and potentially to the enjoyment of human rights, as well as that environmental damage can have potentially negative effects on the enjoyment of some human rights.

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SIS and Privacy and Data Protection

The SHERPA project has analysed privacy and data protection primarily in the EU, focussing on the implications of technological developments on personal data. This briefing paper addresses the challenges stemming from technological advancements for data protection and consumer privacy, as well as ways to tackle such issues in the EU.

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Smart Information Systems and Democracy, Freedom of Thought, Control and Manipulation

The separation of powers, independent courts and freedom of expression and thought are examples of what we understand by “democracy”. Democracy is also interrelated with the growing use and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Smart Information Systems (SIS). The future of democracy in the AI era is a controversial topic. SHERPA, recognising the contributions SIS can make to democracy and protection of freedom of thought and expression but also the vulnerabilities that exist in relation to AI, dedicated a chapter on SIS and Democracy in its Human Rights analysis deliverable which provides a short overview of current international legal instruments related to recognition and protection of democratic rights, as well as positive and negative aspects emanating from the impact of AI on democratic foundations of our society.

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Smart Information Systems and the Digital Divide

The Internet heralded a time of great benefits from digitilisation globally. It was predicted by a Harvard political scientist that teachers connected to the digital world in Lagos, Beijing or Calcutta will be able to access the same electronic journals, books and databases as students at the Sorbonne, Oxford or Harvard. However, it soon became clear that many advantages of digitilisation did not trickle down to lower-income settings. The term ‘digital divide’ was coined to describe three main types of disadvantages and deprivations. First, lack of access to computers and Internet connection. Second, lack of necessary skills or willingness to use digital resources. Third, passive use of Internet facilities (e.g. video streaming) versus active use (e.g. e-voting). SIS could lead to further digital divides, where even previously included businesses and citizens are no longer able to use the benefits of digitilisation in full (e.g. agricultural data analytics may lead to a further growth of large monocultural industrial farms which can afford the technology).

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How Social Media Data is Used to Predict Risk

The SHERPA project has undertaken 10 case studies on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics in different application scenarios. This briefing paper describes key insights of the use of these technologies in a small start-up that uses social media data for the purposes of predictive risk intelligence. It raises questions of privacy and data protection but also of power and labour relationships. The case demonstrates that even a small start-up can find ways of addressing such issues, if awareness and willingness are present.

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Dignity, Robots and Care for the Elderly

The SHERPA project has analysed human rights implications of Smart Information Systems. This briefing paper describes key insights of a case study on robot use in social care. The case demonstrates that discussions framed around the concept of dignity cause more confusion than enlightenment. Whilst ethical issues of privacy, manipulation, and harm through malfunction require urgent attention, proponents and opponents of robot use in social care use dignity to support their positions. As a result, neither succeeds.

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