The Role of AI in Advancing or Undermining Human Rights in the Global South

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful force shaping global development, governance, and individual rights. While its potential to revolutionize sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and public administration is undeniable, its rapid deployment in the Global South often without robust ethical, legal, or institutional frameworks raises profound questions about its impact on human rights. The dual nature of AI presents both opportunities and threats, especially in contexts marked by inequality, weak institutions, and limited digital literacy. This article explores how AI is simultaneously advancing and undermining human rights in the Global South.

Advancing Human Rights Through AI

Improving Access to Health and Education

AI-powered technologies are improving access to essential services in remote and underserved regions. In healthcare, AI is used for early disease detection, predictive diagnostics, and telemedicine, helping to bridge the gap in doctor-to-patient ratios in countries like Ghana, Kenya, and India. For instance, AI tools have been deployed to predict outbreaks such as malaria or Ebola and assist in early intervention strategies.

In education, AI-powered platforms provide personalized learning experiences, language translation, and access to online resources, helping reduce disparities in education quality and access for marginalized groups.

Enhancing Governance and Service Delivery

Governments in the Global South are increasingly adopting AI to streamline public services and combat corruption. AI can help analyze large datasets to improve policy formulation, predict voter fraud, or optimize resource allocation in local governance. In Rwanda, AI-driven drones have enhanced logistics in healthcare delivery, especially in remote areas.

Supporting Human Rights Monitoring

AI is also being used to monitor and document human rights abuses. Algorithms can analyze satellite imagery, social media, and public records to detect patterns of violence or repression. For example, human rights organizations use machine learning tools to verify reports of civilian casualties or environmental degradation caused by extractive industries.

Undermining Human Rights: The Risks of AI in the Global South

Surveillance and Privacy Violations

Authoritarian governments or weak regulatory environments often use AI technologies especially facial recognition and predictive policing to monitor and suppress dissent. In countries with limited data protection laws, citizens face the risk of being subjected to unwarranted surveillance, data breaches, or profiling. AI surveillance tools are sometimes imported from companies in the Global North with little regard for local accountability mechanisms.

Exacerbating Inequality and Discrimination

AI systems trained on biased data can reinforce existing social inequalities. In the Global South, where historical and structural inequalities persist, algorithmic bias can deepen discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. For example, biased recruitment algorithms may exclude marginalized communities, or AI-driven loan systems may deny credit based on skewed data profiles.

Striking a Balance: Towards Rights-Based AI in the Global South

AI holds immense promise for accelerating development and human rights in the Global South, but this promise is not automatic. Without intentional policies, ethical frameworks, and inclusive governance, the very technologies meant to uplift societies could become tools of oppression. The path forward lies in centering human dignity, equity, and justice in the design and deployment of AI systems ensuring that technology serves people, not the other way around.

To harness AI for the advancement of human rights, a multi-stakeholder approach is essential. Governments must develop robust data protection laws, enforce ethical AI standards, and promote transparency and accountability. Civil society and academia should play a central role in monitoring AI deployment, conducting impact assessments, and advocating for inclusive AI policies. Furthermore, there is a need to localize AI development training engineers, building datasets, and creating tools that reflect local languages, cultures, and values. International cooperation and South-South partnerships can help share best practices, build capacity, and avoid repeating the mistakes of the Global North.

Isaac Dzimabe