Doha, 27 May 2025 — Ms. Amina Bouayach, President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions and Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), raised concerns about the real risks threatening rights and freedoms as a result of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies without sound governance and without placing human rights at the core of systems—both in their design and throughout their entire lifecycle.

In her opening statement at an international conference taking place today in Doha, Ms. Bouayach clarified that several systems, despite their enormous potential (see the prior Article 1/3), may reproduce biases and perpetuate new forms of discrimination, particularly against women and vulnerable groups.

The human rights defender cited a recent UN report, one of which findings highlights that women are at greater risk of losing their jobs due to automation and AI. Ms. Bouayach also warned of the dangers of deepfakes, particularly deepfake pornography, which disproportionately targets women and girls.

The risks extend beyond this point, she added. Algorithms and AI systems have made disinformation more significant, easier, and faster, posing a threat to the right to access information, the absolute right to opinion and freedom of expression, and the integrity of electoral processes and democratic pathways.

These threats, says Ms. Bouayach, are not theoretical or future concerns—they are real and experienced in several contexts, deeply affecting the most vulnerable groups and communities.

In addition to placing human rights and freedoms at the heart of system design and lifecycle, she emphasized the need to strengthen international advocacy.

To be continued...