International Artificial Intelligence Frameworks for Safeguarding Human Rights and Dignity


Globethics

Session 181

Thursday, 10 July 2025 in 3 days 17:00–17:45 (UTC+02:00) Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation Room E, Palexpo Emerging Technologies Interactive Session
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Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation


As artificial intelligence (AI) systems continue to advance and permeate key aspects of social, economic, and political life, the urgency to ensure they are developed and deployed in ways that respect human rights and protect human dignity has never been greater. Over the past years, governments, international organizations, academic institutions, and private actors have launched multiple AI governance frameworks — many of which affirm shared principles such as fairness, transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness. Yet questions remain about how these frameworks can be operationalized, harmonized, and scaled to address both global risks and national needs.

This high-level session brings together leading voices from diplomacy, academia, civil society, and the private sector to reflect on how international AI frameworks can be strengthened to better safeguard human rights and dignity. It will also explore how these frameworks can guide national implementation, contribute to capacity development, and reinforce democratic values in the age of AI. On top of that, the dialogue will spotlight the essential role of diverse stakeholders in advancing AI literacy, building capacity, and leading ethical adoption. 

Panellists
Ms. Paola Galvez
Ms. Paola Galvez AI Ethics Fellow Globethics Moderator

Paola is a recognised expert in AI and digital technology policy, with over a decade of experience delivering strategic advisory and leading high-impact initiatives across the private sector, public institutions, and multilateral organisations. Her work has directly shaped national and international digital agendas, influencing regulation and capacity building. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Oxford and has been appointed to two prestigious UNESCO networks: AI Experts Without Borders and Women for Ethical AI. Her academic journey includes serving as AI Ethics Fellow at Globethics. Paola’s passion for ethical AI practices favoring minorities has earned her recognition as a sought-after keynote speaker at global conferences.


H.E. Mr. Muhammadou M. O. Kah
H.E. Mr. Muhammadou M. O. Kah Ambassador Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the Swiss Confederation

His Excellency Professor Muhammadou M.O. Kah is the Ambassador & Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the UN Office at Geneva, World Trade Organisation (WTO), and other offices in Geneva. He currently Chairs the Africa Group of Ambassadors at Geneva (April 2021-June 2021) and is the Vice Chair for UNCTAD's Commission on Science and Technology Development's 25th session and a member of the Advisory Board of the UNCTAD TDB Advisory Body (June 2021-July 2022). Ambassador Prof. Kah is also one of three Ambassadors designated as Friends of the Chair of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) General Assembly. 

Prior to his appointment in Geneva, Professor Kah served as the Founding Chairman of Zenith Bank, The Gambia, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Africa Consulting & Trading Group (ACT), Dakar, Senegal and as the first Gambian-born third Vice Chancellor of The University of The Gambia (UTG) from 2009- 2015 and recently appointed as a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. 

Prior to becoming UTG's Vice Chancellor/Rector in 2009, Professor Muhammadou M.O. Kah spent 4 years in Nigeria as the Founding Dean of the School of Information Technology and Communications at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) where he doubled for a year as Interim Dean of the School of Business & Entrepreneurship. Professor Kah was appointed as Vice President of Academic Affairs & Provost (DVC) and Professor of Information Technology & Computing at the American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State (2017-2020). He also served as Vice Rector for Technology & Innovation; Professor and Founding Dean of the School of Information Technology & Engineering at ADA University in Baku, Azerbaijan (2015-2017). He served at the Board of Trustees and Governing councils of the American University of Nigeria and the African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria. 

Professor Kah has held teaching and leadership positions in the USA, Africa, the Middle East (Gulf countries) and Eastern Europe (Caucuses). A regular contributor to the “Africa Module" in the Advanced Leadership Program (ALP) at Cambridge Judge Business School, he was appointed as an honorary Fellow of the Judge Business School and the Digital Innovation Centre, University of Cambridge (2016-2017). Professor Kah is passionate about advancing and strengthening computing, engineering, science, and leading strategy & innovation in organizations. To complement that he also provides thought leadership in information technologies & computing education in higher education whilst also serving as a member of international panels such as the Malabo Montpellier Panel, the Euro Science Forum 2018, Africa Europe Foundation, amongst others.


Dr. Rachel Adams
Dr. Rachel Adams Chief Executive Officer Global Centre on AI Governance

Rachel Adams, PhD, is the Founding CEO of the Global Centre on AI Governance. She is the author of The New Empire of AI: The Future of Global Inequality (Polity Press, 2024). She is a Senior Research Associate of the Leverhulme Center for the Future of Intelligence, University of Cambridge, and an Honorary Research Fellow of The Ethics Lab at the University of Cape Town. She holds degrees in English Literature, International Human Rights Law and Philosophy. Her PhD was published as a book: Transparency: New Trajectories in Law (Routledge, 2020). 

Rachel previously served as the Director of AI and Global Programmes at Research ICT Africa. Before joining RIA, she spent five years at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) of South Africa, where she led various projects on AI in Africa and was the lead author of the book Human Rights and the Fourth Industrial Revolution in South Africa (HSRC Press, 2021). Prior to her appointment at the HSRC, Rachel was the Senior Researcher for Civil and Political Rights at the South African Human Rights Commission. 

Rachel serves on numerous international expert committees including for UNESCO, the UN, UNDP, WEF, the Gates Foundation and the Global Partnership on AI.


Mr. Primo Amrein
Mr. Primo Amrein AI National Skills Director Microsoft Philanthropies

Primo Amrein is the AI National Skills Director for Switzerland at Microsoft Philanthropies. In the past 19 years at Microsoft, Primo had different roles in Sales & Marketing,  Team Leadership and Cloud Program Management. He previously worked for a strategy / management consultancy and a technology start-up. He holds a Technology Management Master of University St.Gallen and an international CEMS Certificate.


Ms. Nathchaya Pongakkarawat
Ms. Nathchaya Pongakkarawat Advisor Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Thailand

Nathchaya currently serves as the senior advisor to the government of Thailand on emerging digital policies and strategies to drive Thai economy and society forward. She pioneered some digital policies including Cloud First Policy, digital infrastructure, renewable energy security, platform and AI governance.

She established Southeast Asia’s first data center industry and has been a digital inclusion and responsible AI advocate as a visiting professor in good governance and sustainable business at universities globally. 

Previously she served a trusted policy advisors to many organization such as Amazon, the World Bank, US-ASEAN Business Council in Washington DC. She has a master degree in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University, USA. 


Topics
Artificial Intelligence Capacity Building Digital Inclusion Digital Skills Education Ethics Human Rights WSIS+20 Review
WSIS Action Lines
  • AL C1 logo C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
  • AL C4 logo C4. Capacity building
  • AL C10 logo C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
  • AL C11 logo C11. International and regional cooperation

C1: The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development

  • Showcasing multistakeholder collaboration on AI governance across sectors (diplomacy, academia, private sector, civil society).
    Highlighting how AI frameworks can support development goals while safeguarding human rights.
    Promoting governance models that integrate ethical principles into digital innovation at national and international levels.

C4: Capacity building
The session touches on the importance of national AI skills strategies and workforce development, key to ensuring that all countries can participate meaningfully in the global AI ecosystem and governance processes.

C10: Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
The session focuses on AI and human rights, which are at the heart of the ethical considerations in the digital age. It aligns with international calls to embed values such as fairness, transparency, and dignity in the design and deployment of AI.

C11: International and regional cooperation
The panel of the session represents diverse stakeholders and regions. The session contributes to multilateral and multistakeholder cooperation on AI governance, in line with WSIS efforts to foster global partnerships.

Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 4 logo Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
  • Goal 10 logo Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
  • Goal 16 logo Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
  • Goal 17 logo Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

SDG 4: Quality Education
The session addresses the importance of AI literacy and skills development as essential elements of national and global strategies. By highlighting initiatives for capacity building, especially in the Global South, the session supports inclusive and equitable access to the knowledge and competencies needed to thrive in an AI-driven world. It emphasizes that education systems must prepare individuals not just to use AI, but to shape it responsibly and ethically.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
International AI frameworks play a key role in ensuring that AI development does not reinforce or exacerbate existing social, economic, or digital inequalities. The session promotes the inclusion of underrepresented regions and communities in the design, implementation, and oversight of AI systems. It also highlights the need for context-sensitive governance mechanisms that account for varying capacities and resources.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
By centering human rights, transparency, and accountability, the session contributes to building effective, inclusive, and rights-respecting institutions. It underscores how AI systems must be governed by legal, ethical, and institutional safeguards that prevent misuse, discrimination, and surveillance abuses, thereby reinforcing public trust and democratic values.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The multistakeholder composition of the panel, involving diplomats, academics, civil society, and private sector actors exemplifies the type of cross-sector and cross-border cooperation that SDG 17 calls for. The session fosters dialogue and alignment between international frameworks and national implementation efforts, creating shared pathways to address global challenges through collaborative governance.