Doha, Qatar: The international conference titled "Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights: Opportunities, Risks, and Visions for a Better Future" commenced today in Doha, organized by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA), the UN Development Programme, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), Huawei, and other key international stakeholders in digital technology and governance.
The opening ceremony was attended by HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, HE Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, HE Minister of Labor Dr. Ali bin Saeed bin Smaikh Al Marri, HE Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai, HE Minister of Education and Higher Education Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, HE Minister of State for Interior Affairs Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohammed Al-Thani, and HE Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and a number of senior officials.
In her keynote speech, HE Chairperson of the NHRC Mariam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah emphasized that choosing AI as the central topic of this conference reflects its growing significance and the necessity of deeply understanding its current and future implications. AI presents immense opportunities to enhance various human rights, including healthcare, education, access to information, freedom of expression, and personal security.
However, Her Excellency warned of the potential ethical risks, such as bias and discrimination, the widening digital divide, privacy violations, increased unemployment due to job losses, and the severe consequences of AI systems that pose direct threats to human life. Addressing these concerns requires a human rights-based approach to AI development, ensuring transparency, oversight, evaluation, accountability, and remedies in cases of AI-related human rights violations.
Her Excellency stressed that the conference aligns with Qatar’s broader vision of integrating human rights into emerging technologies, particularly AI. This initiative complements Qatar’s rapid technological advancements and its efforts to establish itself as a global hub for innovation and a thriving tech ecosystem.
HE Al Attiyah acknowledged the existing debate between two AI governance approaches: one that prioritizes maximizing AI’s potential, regardless of risks, and another that advocates a comprehensive model balancing AI deployment with fundamental human rights principles, explaining that the conference reaffirms Qatar’s commitment to the latter approach, placing human rights and sustainable development at the forefront of AI policy discussions.
HE the NHRC Chairperson clarified that the conference serves as an essential platform for knowledge exchange, policy debates, and fostering dialogue among diverse stakeholders, including national, regional, and international institutions, civil society, and AI experts.
HE Al Attiyah expressed appreciation for the global participation, highlighting that diverse perspectives contribute not only to enriching discussions but also to exploring shared solutions and future strategies.
Looking ahead, Her Excellency underscored that the conference aims to outline a roadmap for AI governance grounded in human rights, stating that NHRC remains committed to working alongside its partners to advance international frameworks, including the adoption of a binding global treaty regulating AI applications, ensuring the optimal balance between technological advancement and the protection of human dignity and rights.
HE Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai emphasized that humanity is experiencing a pivotal moment in its relationship with technology, where artificial intelligence has evolved beyond being a tool for service enhancement and efficiency, it has become a transformative force reshaping lives and influencing decisions that directly impact human dignity.
His Excellency highlighted that society has moved past mere fascination with AI’s capabilities and must now confront essential questions about its real impact, questioning who will safeguard human rights when algorithms dictate decisions and how fairness, inclusivity, and accountability can be ensured for every individual.
HE the Minister described the event as a global dialogue space for knowledge-sharing, experience exchange, and the establishment of clear principles guiding AI toward human-centered development that protects dignity throughout every stage of its evolution.
His Excellency pointed out that the growing reliance on AI-driven technologies, including predictive algorithms, machine learning models, and automated decision-making systems, introduces challenges beyond technical concerns. AI is increasingly making critical decisions traditionally made by humans, such as hiring, service allocation, and needs assessments, underscoring the urgent need for regulatory frameworks that ensure human welfare remains central to AI’s progression.
To address this, His Excellency announced the launch of Qatar’s Principles and Guidelines for Ethical AI Development and Use, a national reference promoting responsible AI innovation and safe applications. These principles cover transparency, fairness, privacy protection, and accountability, serving as a directive for users, institutions, developers, and policymakers.
He the Minister stressed that ethical AI development must go hand in hand with digital inclusivity, arguing that a truly just digital system cannot exclude those with limited access to technology. Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has introduced a Digital Inclusivity Index, created through in-depth research to measure digital accessibility across all societal sectors.
HE the Minister added that the initiative focuses on bridging the digital divide and ensuring accessibility for elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and low-income workers, aiming to create a model that can be adopted internationally.
HE the Minister urged policymakers, developers, and legislators not to chase AI progress solely for technological advancements but to shape it with a clear human-centered approach through global cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and unified efforts toward AI legislation that prioritizes human welfare.
HE UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk addressed the conference via video, acknowledging AI’s potential benefits in healthcare, development, and education, but warning of escalating threats to human rights and freedoms.
Among the biggest risks, His Excellency cited mass surveillance, misinformation and errors, deepfake media, discrimination and bias, control over information access, socio-economic disruptions, and AI’s significant environmental impact due to resource-intensive computing.
HE Turk outlined the four key recommendations of establishing robust legal frameworks to ensure AI transparency, safety, and accountability, closing the digital gap and investing in inclusive digital infrastructure, engaging all societal sectors, not just governments and corporations, in AI governance, and ensuring AI is developed and deployed in ways that uphold universal human rights values.
HE President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions Amina Bouayach emphasized that artificial intelligence has become a defining issue of the modern era, gaining increasing momentum as its rapid developments impact every aspect of life.
Her Excellency described the current phase as critical for humanity, noting that advanced digital technologies and AI systems are reshaping the world, influencing daily life, and restructuring the way societies and institutions function. Innovation, she stressed, is no longer a luxury but a driving force behind high-quality and efficient smart services.
However, despite AI’s growing opportunities, HE Bouayach pointed to deep inequalities between nations and societies. While some countries benefit directly from technological progress, others are still searching for their path, and many remain on the margins of this transformation, at risk of further exclusion.
HE President of the Arab Parliament Mohammed Ahmed Al Yamahi affirmed that AI’s unprecedented potential for advancing development and human well-being also raises complex ethical and legal dilemmas that challenge fundamental human rights.
The irresponsible use of AI, His Excellency warned, could violate privacy, reinforce discrimination and social exclusion, and threaten justice and human dignity, stressing that AI's real challenge lies not just in technological advancement but in ensuring its safe and ethical application to protect societal values and human rights.
HE Al Yamahi noted that parliamentarians worldwide bear a significant responsibility in ensuring AI is governed by national legislation that aligns with each country’s core values, development priorities, and national security needs.
Three years ago, HE Al Yamahi said, the Arab Parliament passed the first AI-specific law for Arab nations, providing a legislative model for responsible AI use. While national laws play a crucial role, he argued, the world urgently needs a binding international legal framework to regulate AI development and ensure it serves humanity, safeguards rights, and preserves human dignity.
He further advocated for a global AI ethics charter, ensuring AI does not become monopolized by specific countries or major tech corporations and called for strict regulations on AI’s use in military applications.
HE Al Yamahi warned that the use of AI in military operations poses severe risks to human rights, citing its impact in Gaza, where Israeli forces have employed AI-driven technologies in mass killings and targeted military strikes against civilians, homes, schools, and hospitals.
His Excellency described these acts as clear violations of the right to life and alarming evidence of AI’s role in modern war crimes against the Palestinian people.
HE President of National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA) Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Malki emphasized that artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, has shown remarkable capabilities and opened vast opportunities, yet it also presents significant challenges for individuals and communities.
HE Al Malki highlighted Qatar’s commitment to keeping pace with technological transformations while proactively addressing associated risks. National strategies, including Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy and National Cybersecurity Strategy, focus on leveraging technology for sustainable growth while ensuring a secure digital environment.
The NCSA, His Excellency added, released AI guidelines last year, offering institutions a framework for deploying AI securely and effectively. These guidelines educate users about potential threats posed by emerging technologies while helping them develop solutions for challenges arising from rapid digital advancements.
HE Al Malki stressed that enhancing cybersecurity readiness and building digital resilience is an ongoing journey filled with challenges. Rather than being an obstacle to digital transformation, cybersecurity serves as an enabler, ensuring safe technological advancements while protecting digital infrastructure for both institutions and individuals.
HE the NCSA President affirmed that the State of Qatar has been at the forefront of digital rights protection, issuing one of the first Personal Data Privacy Protection Laws, which guarantees individual and community data security amid rapid technological advancements. As AI increasingly handles massive amounts of personal data, digital privacy protection is becoming a fundamental human right, aligning seamlessly with Qatar’s Vision 2030 to strengthen societal security and promote technological confidence.
HE Regional Director for Arab States at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Dr. Mary Kawar emphasized that AI is reshaping all aspects of life, making responsible governance essential.
According to a recent UNDP Human Development Report, Her Excellency stated, nearly 70% of people in countries with low or medium human development indices anticipate AI will enhance productivity, while two-thirds expect AI to transform education, healthcare, and employment within the next year.
HE Kawar explained that to harness AI’s potential, the report outlines the three critical focus areas of promoting collaboration between humans and AI rather than competition, ensuring human involvement in all AI development phases, from design to implementation, and modernizing education and healthcare systems to align with 21st-century technological advancements.
Her Excellency added that while AI holds immense potential to accelerate sustainable development and contribute to economic growth, it also presents risks, including biases, discrimination, mass surveillance, and deepening societal inequalities. Kawar noted that the Arab region faces distinct challenges, undergoing both rapid digital transitions and persistent development struggles.
In closing, HE Kawar stressed the importance of responsible AI use, underscoring that at its core, AI must prioritize human dignity and operate within a framework of fundamental rights.
