Doha, May 29 (QNA) - The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) concluded today the international conference on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights by issuing the Doha Declaration on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, which included several recommendations and ideas aimed at ensuring the protection and promotion of human rights in light of the growing impact of AI.

The two-day conference brought together more than 1,200 participants including officials, experts, and specialists. It was organized by the National Human Rights Committee in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the National Cyber Security Agency, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, Huawei, and other international stakeholders in the field of digital technologies.

In this context, HE NHRC Chairperson Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah said the event reflects the committee’s ongoing effort to keep pace with global human rights developments. She expressed her gratitude to everyone who took part in making the conference a success.

Her Excellency also announced the formation of a committee to oversee the implementation of the key recommendations resulting from the event. HE the Minister emphasized that the conference outcomes represent a meaningful turning point in human rights work, especially as AI usage is expected to grow in coming years.

Her Excellency highlighted that these recommendations could serve as a cornerstone in strengthening human rights protections globally and expressed hope they will be adopted on a broad international scale, noting they affirm everyone’s right to benefit from modern technologies while ensuring their rights, as guaranteed by global conventions, are respected.

In the conference’s closing session, HE Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Committee Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali delivered the final statement.

He said that AI offers transformative potential to support economic, social, and environmental development, and that it can help accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, improve public services, drive innovation, and promote justice. However, he warned that because AI relies heavily on data, which presents serious risks to privacy and data security.

He also cautioned that building and deploying AI systems, especially in public-private partnerships, without proper legal safeguards or in ways that violate international law could slow down progress toward the 2030 Agenda and its sustainability goals. He stressed that for AI to be trustworthy and legitimate, it must be transparent, understandable, and respect digital autonomy. He stressed that there is a pressing need for policies and governance structures that ensure AI is developed in ways that center human rights, align with international standards, and promote accountability and inclusion.

Al Jamali acknowledgED the important efforts made at international, regional, and national levels to create safe and reliable AI systems. He stated that governments have a duty to protect people from AI-related human rights abuses by private companies, and businesses themselves must uphold human rights at every stage of the AI lifecycle, in line with international standards like the UN’s guiding principles on business and human rights.

He concluded by outlining the main recommendations and work plan which revolves around enhancing human rights principles into every phase of AI development and regulation to safeguard dignity, equity, autonomy, and accountability; to push for global governance of AI capable of addressing its broad human rights impacts; and to ensure that all groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities, have a meaningful voice in shaping and overseeing AI systems at every level, in accordance with international human rights law. 

HE Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali stated that the conference’s recommendations emphasized the need to monitor cyberattacks and AI-driven attacks targeting female candidates, politicians, human rights defenders, and activists.

His Excellency underscored the importance of reporting these incidents, ensuring legal protection, and providing effective remedies. Additionally, the recommendations called for facilitating international cooperation, capacity sharing, and equitable access to AI benefits, especially in developing countries, in alignment with principles of solidarity and shared responsibility.

The conference also urged the international community to monitor and investigate the use of AI systems in military operations to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights law.

Al Jamali noted that the final declaration encourages states to assess the intended purpose of AI systems before their adoption, consider safer and less intrusive alternatives, and ensure human decision-making in justice, healthcare, social protection, law enforcement, and military domains. AI usage across all sectors should be accompanied by human oversight.

Regarding human rights due diligence, Al Jamali emphasized that the declaration calls for comprehensive human rights impact assessments throughout the AI lifecycle, mandating both governmental and private-sector accountability. It also advocates for legal requirements compelling private entities to conduct and publish these assessments, along with banning AI applications posing severe human rights risks, including military AI systems that fail to comply with international human rights and humanitarian law.

Al Jamali stressed the importance of data protection through legal frameworks based on principles of legitimacy, data minimization, purpose limitation, integrity, confidentiality, accountability, and transparency. These measures should ensure equality and individual freedoms by implementing robust safeguards against unauthorized access, use, and disclosure of personal data, including for AI applications.

He added that the declaration calls for the establishment of independent data protection bodies, equipped with the authority and resources necessary to enforce compliance and accountability. It also urges AI developers to maintain detailed records of personal data used in training models and disclose such information in the public interest.

Head of the Middle East and North Africa Section at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Mohammed Al Nsour hailed the conference as the ninth collaborative event with Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee.

He announced that next year will mark the 10th anniversary of this fruitful and pioneering partnership in the Arab region and globally.

In his closing remarks, Al Nsour reaffirmed the OHCHR’s commitment to promoting human rights culture in the Arab world and establishing a unified platform connecting regional human rights movements with global advocacy efforts.

He noted that the annual conference serves as a cornerstone for understanding the region’s human rights priorities, identifying violations, and determining the technical support needed for Arab states, national human rights institutions, and civil society organizations. 

HE Director for the UNDP Regional Hub for the Arab States Dr. Mary Kawar emphasized that the conference highlighted both the opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI). It also addressed critical issues such as increasing discrimination, security surveillance, personal freedoms, unequal opportunities, and the widening digital divide.

In her closing remarks, HE Dr. Kawar noted that participants shared valuable experiences and insights, underscoring the need for joint efforts and unified perspectives on this complex and evolving topic to ensure transparency and fairness in AI development.

Her Excellency added that the UNDP will take the conference’s recommendations into consideration and explore ways to implement them in collaboration with various human rights stakeholders, stressing that the discussions reaffirmed the importance of AI governance frameworks and specific guidelines, some of which should be adapted to reflect the unique context of the Arab region.

Head of Digital Competencies at Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Nouf Al Haddad highlighted the conference’s focus on the dynamic relationship between AI and human rights, as well as the challenges and opportunities that emerge from it.

She stated that the ministry’s participation stems from its firm belief that technology, no matter how advanced, only gains real meaning when it serves humanity. That is the guiding principle behind all the initiatives, ensuring that digital innovation aligns with human values and contributes to justice, equality, and dignity.

Al Haddad referenced the launch of AI development and usage principles and guidelines, describing them as a national reference for ethical AI governance, offering practical directives to policymakers and developers, emphasizing that the ministry’s approach seeks to translate abstract principles into tangible tools that enhance transparency, minimize bias, and protect privacy.

She also noted that the ministry’s interactive pavilion at the conference showcased national AI projects, reflecting Qatar’s strategic vision for responsible AI development that serves society and aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030. The conference sessions featured rich discussions and diverse perspectives, reinforcing the consensus that AI cannot be separated from the ethical framework within which it operates.

Al Haddad concluded that they emphasize the need to build genuine partnerships with all relevant stakeholders, locally and internationally, to develop legislative and regulatory frameworks that keep pace with AI’s rapid evolution while safeguarding individual rights and dignity.

The Policy Researcher at the National Cybersecurity Agency Maha Al Buainain reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to protecting the digital space and promoting the safe and responsible use of AI technologies in line with human rights principles and the rule of law.

She said that the National Cybersecurity Agency oversees the implementation of Qatar’s Personal Data Privacy Protection Law to raise public awareness of their rights and ensure compliance among state entities.

Al Buainain expressed optimism that the conference discussions would translate into concrete policies and practices that safeguard rights and support sustainable development.

Head of Partnerships and Research at Al Jazeera’s Center for Public Liberties and Human Rights Hassan Elmogummer affirmed the center’s dedication to continued collaboration with Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee.

He highlighted that the partnership dates back to the founding of Al Jazeera’s Human Rights Center, emphasizing their joint efforts in raising awareness of human rights issues and promoting understanding of national and international human rights mechanisms and treaties. (QNA)