Impacts of artificial intelligence on human rights, democracy and the rule of law: Council of Europe conference in Helsinki

The Council of Europe and the Finnish Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers are organising a conference in Helsinki on 26 and 27 February under the theme "Governing the Game Changer - Impacts of artificial intelligence development on human rights, democracy and the rule of law".

A technological transformation is taking place with the emergence of new tools that use artificial intelligence (AI) in the form of machine learning techniques. While this development brings many benefits, it also raises complex and urgent legal, ethical, policy and economic questions with a significant impact on human rights and the functioning of democracy.

The Finnish Presidency deems it important that the Council of Europe is able to react swiftly to these major human rights challenges. For example, it is necessary to consider how existing human rights frameworks are able to respond to new human rights issues brought through new technology, digitalisation and, in particular, artificial intelligence.

The conference will address the challenges and opportunities of AI development for individuals and societies as well as for legal and institutional frameworks, and explore ways to ensure that effective mechanisms of democratic oversight are in place.

The conference will bring together some 300 high-level experts from governments, international organisations, business, technology, academia, civil society and the media to engage in a critical and open discussion on how to address AI development to maximise benefits for society and minimise risks to human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Addressing the challenges created by AI to human rights, democracy and the rule of law in one of the Priorities of the Finnish Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers (21 November 2018-17 May 2019).

Practical information

Open to the media, the conference will take place at the Finlandia Hall (Mannerheimintie 13e.). A live webcast will be available.

Media accreditations:

Requests
Contact: Miia Vihola

Please apply no later than 20 February 2019


Contacts for additional information and interviews:

Council of Europe: Päivi Suhonen, Tel. +33 3 90 21 53 70
Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Sari Uusi-Rauva, Tel. +358 295 350 290