Unpacking AI’s Human Rights Challenges: An Analytical Report Series from the Global Index on Responsible AI

Artificial Intelligence is shaping our world at an unprecedented pace, transforming governance, education, healthcare and social systems. But as AI integrates deeper into our daily lives, critical questions emerge- how do we ensure that AI-driven decisions uphold human rights? How do we prevent AI from amplifying existing inequalities?

These are the pressing issues that the  Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI) seeks to uncover.

In the 2024 Global Index on Responsible AI, the Human Rights dimension emerged as a critical benchmark for measuring responsible AI governance. This dimension examined how countries promote, protect, respect, monitor and claim the rights of individuals and communities interacting with AI technologies across various aspects of life. Rightly so-humans not only develop AI but are directly impacted by its tools and systems. Ideally, responsible AI principles should ensure fairness is a guiding factor in AI’s ideation, development and deployment.

Now building on these findings, we introduce the Human Rights and AI Analytical Report Series -  a collection of briefs that delve deeper into the intersection of AI and human rights, offering evidence-based insights for policymakers, civil society, and researchers.

What’s in the report?

The Human Rights and AI Analytical Report Series consists of a collection of briefs, each focusing on a key aspect of the Human Rights dimension within the Global Index on Responsible AI framework:

1. Preliminary Insights: How the GIRAI Can Inform Policy and Programmatic Delivery - Analyzes early findings from the Global Index on Responsible AI and explores how data-driven insights can guide AI governance strategies worldwide. Access full brief

2. Overview and Introduction - This brief outlines the methodology and overarching themes of the series, setting the stage for deeper analysis across different human rights issues in AI governance as brought forward by the Global Index on Responsible AI. Access full brief

3. Global Landscape - Examines how countries worldwide are performing in AI governance related to human-rights, highlighting disparities between regions and identifying trends. Access full brief

4. Socio-Economic Development- Explores how a country’s economic standing affects its ability to implement AI governance frameworks that protect human rights. Access full brief

5. Rule of Law - Investigates the relationship between adherence to the rule of law and AI governance, looking at enforcement mechanisms and access to redress. Access full brief

6. Gender Rights in AI Governance - Focuses on the role AI plays in shaping gender equality, highlighting gaps, risks, and policy interventions needed to ensure equitable outcomes. Access full brief

7. Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in AI - Assesses how AI systems accommodate (or neglect) diverse languages and cultural contexts, particularly in the Global South. Access full brief

8. Concluding Reflections: Lessons in Measuring Responsible AI - A synthesis of key insights from the series, discussing challenges, lessons learned and recommendations for improving the measurement of responsible AI governance. Access full brief

These reports provide a data-driven assessment of AI’s human rights implications, offering key insights into both gaps and opportunities for responsible AI governance worldwide.

Watch the Webinars: Human Rights and AI

To foster dialogue on the critical findings from the Human Rights and AI report series, we have been hosting a series of webinars featuring expert discussions on AI governance, human rights, and policy interventions.

Webinar 1: Gender Rights in AI Governance

Our first webinar, held on March 11, 2025, explored the role AI plays in shaping gender equality in policymaking, governance, and technology development. If you missed it, you can watch the full recording here:

Webinar 2: Human Rights and AI

Held on March 25, 2025, this webinar unpacked the remaining briefs in the series, including cultural and linguistic diversity, socio-economic development, rule of law, and lessons learned from measuring responsible AI globally.

Acknowledging the contributors

The Human Rights and AI Analytical Report Series is the result of the collective effort of dedicated researchers, policy experts, and advocates committed to advancing responsible AI governance. This work builds on the Global Index on Responsible AI and would not have been possible without the contributions of in-country researchers, analysts, and partners who meticulously gathered data, provided critical insights, and contextualized AI’s impact on human rights across different regions.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the authors and analysts behind each brief:

• Dr. Kelle Howson, Senior Researcher with the Institute for Economic Justice.

• Jayant Narayan, AI Partnerships, Engagement & Strategy, UNDP.

• Aishat Salami, Tech Policy and Research Lead Veeta Advisory Hub.

• Selamawit Abdella, Researcher at the Global Center on AI Governance.

• Faisal M. Lalani, Research Fellow at the Global Center on AI Governance.

This research and publication have been made possible through the generous support of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and Global Affairs Canada. Their commitment to fostering inclusive, fair, and accountable AI governance globally has been instrumental in advancing this work.