Summary

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Ashwini K.P., summarizes the activities that she has undertaken over the past year and addresses the ways in which the predominant assumption that technology is objective and neutral is allowing artificial intelligence to perpetuate racial discrimination. She examines four cross-cutting ways in which artificial intelligence can contribute to manifestations of racial discrimination: data problems, algorithm design issues, the intentionally discriminatory use of artificial intelligence and accountability issues. She then provides examples of the application of artificial intelligence across various societal domains and its racially discriminatory impacts. She analyses emerging efforts to manage and regulate artificial intelligence before providing an overview of the relevant international human rights law standards. She concludes by presenting recommendations on how States should approach the management and regulation of artificial intelligence technologies to prevent and address racial discrimination.