Glossary
AI and Human Rights
The application of international human-rights law and standards to the design, deployment and governance of AI.
Last reviewed 2026-08-22
In plain language
UN human-rights bodies, OHCHR, UNESCO and regional courts have examined how AI can interfere with privacy, equality, expression, assembly, due process and economic and social rights. A human-rights approach asks about legality, necessity, proportionality, participation and remedy—not only about ethical aspirations. It also covers positive duties to use technology in ways that realize rights, where that is the state’s obligation.
Why it matters for AI governance
Human-rights law is an existing, global reference point that does not need to be invented from AI ethics lists. It is especially important for civil society and public authorities.