AI & Robotics: Enhancing legal frameworks
We are developing proposals for ethical and human-rights respectful artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. We identified potential changes needed in existing legal and human rights frameworks at the international, EU and national levels.
In this report, currently pending approval from the European Commission, we offer recommendations to improve the enforcement, uptake and effectiveness of existing legislation in these fields. We also discuss actions to take, actors involved, what should be prioritised and potential ways to address any implementation challenges. The report also features a discussion of the interrelations between ethics and law from the perspective of policymakers.
Key take-aways for AI & ROBOTICS
- At the international-level, there is a need to clarify how existing human rights framework apply to AI/robotics (e.g., via creating new specific rules). While the adoption of a new human rights treaty for AI and robotics is a low priority fraught with difficulties, changes to existing relevant laws that protect certain values underlying human rights may be desirable and more feasible.
- At the EU-level, it is urgent to ensure consistency and a harmonised approach across the European Union and establish common governance standards to address ethical and human rights-related risks of AI and robotics while recognising that flexibility and sector and/or use specificity regulation are critical. It is also not opportune to pursue, at this time, the creation of a specific legal status for autonomous systems
- At the national-level, there is a need to ensure that any changes in legislation are fit for purpose and in accordance with the country’s international obligations, especially with regards to human rights and fundamental values. There is also need for legal clarity and guidance.
For more targeted and specific recommendations, download our report!
Stakeholder consultations
Ethics and human rights standards need to be considered in development and use of emerging technologies. SIENNA is working to ensure human rights and other important societal values are respected in human genetics and genomics, human enhancement technologies, and AI and robotics. As part of the process of developing and finalising its recommendations, SIENNA consulted stakeholders and engaged with policy-makers. Do check out the webinar that was held as part of this process, presented by Rowena Rodrigues, Trilateral Research.