Rule of Law: Human Rights and AI

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This is the fourth brief in the Human Rights and AI: A Global Index on Responsible AI Analytical Report Series, authored by Selamawit Abdella. It delves into the intersection of AI governance and the rule of law, focusing on how foundational legal systems influence the protection of human rights amid the rise of AI technologies. The analysis draws correlations between the GIRAI Human Rights Dimension scores and the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index, including its regulatory enforcement and civil justice dimensions.

Through comparative data and country case studies such as Denmark and India, the brief highlights that while strong legal traditions correlate with higher GIRAI scores, the fast-paced evolution of AI often outpaces regulatory frameworks. Countries with weaker rule of law struggle to implement effective AI governance, underlining the importance of building enforcement capacities and justice mechanisms that are responsive to AI-related harms. This brief offers a baseline for policymakers, researchers, and civil society actors aiming to align human rights protections with AI development and governance strategies.