The field of artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly and is poised to grow significantly over the coming decade. Proponents believe that the continued development of AI will create new opportunities in health, education, and transportation, generate wealth and strengthen economies, and be used to solve pressing social issues. Ongoing initiatives exploring the application of machine learning include its use in investigating human rights abuses, improving energy efficiency, reducing pollution, and tackling food insecurity.

On the other hand, replacing human intelligence with machines could fundamentally change the nature of work, resulting in mass job losses and heightened income inequality. Algorithm-based decision-making by companies can also perpetuate human bias and result in discriminatory outcomes, as is already occurring. The significant expansion of data collected and analysed can also result in increasing the power of companies with ownership over this data and threaten the right to privacy. 

The rapid growth of AI also raises important questions about whether our current policies, legal systems, business due diligence practices, and rights protection methods are fit for purpose. This section features the latest research and various perspectives about the implications of AI for human rights.