This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Volker Türk: Artificial intelligence is a technological tool and must be developed based on risk assessments. Technological tools are used to exercise power, for good but also for bad, so we must ensure that there is a framework within which they are developed, designed and used, and that is where human rights come in.
UN News: What are the biggest human rights risks you currently see due to the rapid expansion of AI?
Volker Türk: There is a huge problem of inequity and that is why I am so happy that this AI summit is being held in India. It’s really important that these tools are used everywhere and developed everywhere.
Then there is the issue of prejudice and discrimination. If data is only collected from one part of the world, if only men are developing AI, then unconscious bias will occur. We believe it is key to take into account vulnerable groups and minorities because they are often excluded from AI development. It is about meaningful participation and giving a vision of a better world. Human rights provide that vision.
UN News: Generative AI is advancing faster than regulation. What security barriers should governments and companies implement as a matter of urgency?
Volker Türk: Take the pharmaceutical industry as an example: testing can sometimes take a long time because it is necessary to ensure that any risks associated with a new product are identified before it goes on sale.
When it comes to AI tools, we must require companies to conduct a human rights impact assessment when designing, deploying and marketing them.
We have seen for quite some time that some companies have larger budgets than some smaller countries. If you are able to control technology not only in your country but throughout the world, you exercise power. You can use power to do things that hopefully help in areas like health, education, and sustainable development, but you can also use that power for bad things, like lethal automatic weapons and to spread disinformation, hate, and violent misogyny.
UN News: What type of AI-driven governance or rules are required to prevent AI systems from reinforcing bias and inequality?
Volker Türk: I had the opportunity to talk to people who produce these things or develop and design them. What strikes me is that they often have a very superficial understanding of the fundamental principles when they enter the development phase.
It reminds me a little of Frankenstein’s monster; you develop something that you no longer control. You let the genie out of the bottle.
If you are not aware of the dangers and risks, you can wreak havoc. We have seen this in Myanmar, for example, where there was a lot of hate speech against the Rohingya on social media platforms.
It is very important to incorporate the perspective of each and every segment of society, especially women and youth, and keep in mind that our brains develop in different ways.
We do not want to create addictions that poison our mind and soul.. We must also be aware of how harmful misinformation not only destroys the social fabric but also creates divisive and polarized societies where everyone lives in their own bubble.
We also see a lot of misogyny. Many female politicians tell me that they are thinking about leaving politics because of what they live on social networks.
UN News: In five years, what do you think responsible AI would look like?
Volker Türk: What I hope we have is an inclusive development of artificial intelligence, where power is no longer concentrated in a handful of companies in North America, and that the development of AI is based on the wealth and diversity of all of us in every society.
I hope for an inclusive, meaningful and participatory type of development that helps us solve the many problems and challenges of today’s world. The climate crisis, access to healthcare, education for all – AI can be a fantastic tool to help us achieve these goals.
The flip side is that if we don’t present a vision of a better world, we could end up even more polarized and have wars that are no longer controlled by humans. And that is very dangerous.