Overview and Introduction : Human Rights and AI

About

The Overview and Introduction brief sets the stage for the Human Rights and AI Analytical Report Series, a six-part collection that explores how nations are addressing human rights in the age of artificial intelligence. Building on the data and findings from the first edition of the Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI), this brief introduces the human rights dimension of the Index and presents the methodology used to analyze country-level performance.

It previews the analytical focus of the upcoming briefs, which cover:

• Regional performance trends
• Socio-economic and development disparities
• Rule of law and civic justice alignment
• Thematic deep dives on gender equality and cultural and linguistic diversity

Key takeaways include persistent global inequalities—particularly in low-income countries and regions like Africa and the Caribbean—and the underrepresentation of marginalised populations in AI governance. The brief also highlights promising efforts in regions like Africa and Latin America to develop rights-respecting AI strategies and emphasizes the role of civil society, capacity building, and context-driven governance frameworks.

The series aims to offer actionable insights for policymakers, researchers, and civil society actors to safeguard rights while promoting ethical and inclusive AI development globally. It also sets the foundation for the second edition of GIRAI, which will track progress over time and amplify diverse voices in AI governance.