The Carr Center for Human Rights Policy serves as the hub of the Harvard Kennedy School’s research, teaching, and training in the human rights domain. The center embraces a dual mission: to educate students and the next generation of leaders from around the world in human rights policy and practice; and to convene and provide policy-relevant knowledge to international organizations, governments, policymakers, and businesses.
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Rights, Systematicity, and Misinformation
Citation:
Abstract:
"The ethical impacts of technology can be understood, in part, by examining how it bears on human rights."
In this discussion paper by Matthew MacDonald, Technology & Human Rights Fellow ('22-'23), he discusses the dangers of new technology, misinformation, and how they intersect with human rights. "...It is possible for rights to evolve over time, and for new rights to emerge, in response to changes in the “systematicity” of significant hazards. Hateful misinformation is one hazard which is growing increasingly systematic as a result of technologically-driven changes to the infosystem. This motivates carefully re-examining the limits of an established right (the right to free speech), and seriously evaluating the case for a new right (a distinctive right against misinformation)," he writes.
Read the full paper here.
Game Over: The Unintended Consequences of Video Game Moderation
Citation:
24_foxcahn_enzer.pdf | 5.6 MB |
Abstract:
Online video games are social networks, afflicted with the same speech moderation questions as other social media platforms, like Meta and Twitter, including rampant abuse, harassment, and misinformation. Without effective self-regulation, the United States and other countries have sought to regulate gaming’s messages, content, and user experience. However, video games are not passive media players consume. They are an interactive medium steered by users’ participation and speech. Video games are much more like interactive worlds, like virtual reality platforms, seeking to bring work, parties, dating, play, and everyday life online. If governments choose to regulate video games, they must balance legitimate content moderation needs with the rights of Free Speech, Free Expression, and Free Association. Governments should enact legislation that empowers users’ freedom, like strong privacy and anti-government surveillance laws, instead of restrictive laws to prohibit categories of speech in video games.
Read the full paper here.
Does AI Understand Arabic? Evaluating the Politics Behind the Algorithmic Arabic Content Moderation
Citation:
24_elswah.pdf | 4.26 MB |
Abstract:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to be integrated into various domains and industries. Over the years, social media companies have utilized AI technologies to moderate users’ content, personalize recommendations, and optimize overall user experience. While machine learning models have been found effective in identifying and addressing harmful and violent content, a mounting number of concerns were raised regarding the bias and discriminatory decisions made by these models when applied to non-English content.
In this paper, Mona Elswah (Technology & Human Rights Fellow '22-'23) zooms in on the AI-powered content moderation by Meta’s Facebook in relation to managing Arabic content. She argues that the Arabic content is subject to “inconsistent moderation,” meaning that some content will be over-moderated, while other content will be left untouched despite violating the platforms’ standards. These inconsistencies have limited users’ ability to engage in meaningful political debates in the region. Put simply, Arabic-speaking users are now uncertain whether their content will be deleted or kept by the algorithm. This type of unclear and inconsistent moderation has led to a social distrust towards AI tools and applications among Arab Internet users.
Read the paper here.
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“The Carr Center is building a bridge between ideas on human rights and the practice on the ground. Right now we are at a critical juncture. The pace of technological change and the rise of authoritarian governments are both examples of serious challenges to the flourishing of individual rights. It’s crucial that Harvard and the Kennedy School continue to be a major influence in keeping human rights ideals alive. The Carr Center is a focal point for this important task.”
- Mathias Risse