The OSCE Academy in Bishkek hosted a half-day workshop on Human Rights and Artificial Intelligence, delivered by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). This marked the third occasion of cooperation between the two institutions, a partnership the OSCE Academy hopes to continue given ODIHR experts’ consistent record of sharing cutting-edge knowledge in select areas.

The workshop focused on the intersection of human rights and artificial intelligence, with particular attention to freedom of thought. Twenty-six students registered for the programme, attended, and actively participated, with many asking numerous questions that demonstrated strong interest in this complex and evolving topic.

The workshop was opened by Dr. Pal Dunay, Director of the OSCE Academy; Dr. Anja Mihr, Academic Director of the MAHRS Programme at the OSCE Academy; and Ms. Delia Nita, Adviser on Freedom of Religion or Belief at OSCE/ODIHR. Ms. Nita also introduced participants to the work of ODIHR’s Human Rights Department, outlining its programmes in areas such as human rights and new technologies, freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, protection of human rights defenders, freedom of assembly, and other human rights issues.

The first session, “Human Rights and Artificial Intelligence,” was led by Dr. Cameran Ashraf, Senior Manager for Human Rights at the Wikimedia Foundation and Member of ODIHR’s Advisory Board on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security. The session examined how the use of artificial intelligence may impact human rights, including the risks of bias and marginalization faced by specific groups, as well as possible safety measures and remedial actions. Several students asked for practical advice on how to avoid disproportionate dependence on AI and how to protect their devices against infiltration and biased messaging tied to their areas of interest.

The second session, led by Ms. Delia Nita, focused on freedom of thought in the age of artificial intelligence. Drawing on ODIHR’s publication Think Again: Freedom of Thought in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, the session introduced participants to the right to freedom of thought and examined the implications of the new information ecosystem and AI-based neuro-technologies.

The workshop concluded with the awarding of certificates of participation to the students.