RightsCon Tunis 2019

Artificial intelligence systems are already playing a major role in how we live our lives on and off the internet. Since data collection has fueled the internet economy, the demand to apply logical systems to make sense of and profit off of this information has surged. This has made algorithmic systems a powerful tool in targeted advertising, content curation, automation, and scientific research. The use of AI however, has been fraught with problems, many times arising from the inherent bias and discrimination that are too easily embedded into the algorithms. There is a growing demand for fairness and accountability in these systems. However, much of these efforts would be constrained by emerging global rules on AI in trade agreements. Universally, they restrict regulators from protecting citizens from algorithmic bias and misuse. This panel will discuss why and how trade agreements contain AI governance rules that will define and constrain policy making at a domestic level. We will exchange ideas on the way forward to advocate for algorithmic transparency in future trade agreements and what CSOs can do.