Written evidence (RAI0087) submitted to the Joint Committee on Human Rights' inquiry into Human Rights and the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence

This evidence, submitted to the Joint Committee on Human Rights, evaluates the multi-faceted impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on fundamental human rights, focusing specifically on privacy, non-discrimination, and the right to an effective remedy. While recognizing AI’s potential to enhance data security through Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs) and identify systemic injustices, the submission highlights critical risks, including mass surveillance, algorithmic bias in facial recognition, and the "black-box" nature of automated decision-making.

The analysis scrutinizes the UK’s current "pro-innovation," principles-based regulatory framework, arguing that its non-statutory nature and decentralized structure create significant gaps in accountability and enforcement. Drawing on international benchmarks, including the European Union’s AI Act and the Council of Europe Framework Convention, the submission advocates for a robust legislative shift. Key recommendations include enshrining AI principles in law, mandating proactive bias assessments for high-risk systems, and introducing a "reverse burden of proof" to facilitate redress for victims of algorithmic discrimination. Ultimately, the paper calls for an agile, risk-based regulatory approach that balances technological growth with the protection of the rule of law and individual liberties.