Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a transformative technology that offers opportunities for societies across the OSCE region, but without effective regulation can also endanger human rights. If the risks are not addressed when AI tools are developed, online hate can proliferate, warned participants at an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 5 October 2023.
Held on the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference - organized by the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia with the support of ODIHR - the event brought together experts in the field of technology and tolerance and non-discrimination, state officials and civil society representatives from across the OSCE region to discuss measures to address online hate and its impact in the real world.
"AI has great possibilities within the field of understanding and detecting antisemitism and all forms of intolerance," said Melissa Mott, Director of Antisemitism, Holocaust, and Genocide Education, Echoes and Reflections, at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). "Uncovering AI's potential will require actions aimed at strengthening media literacy skills, in particular in the education system, so that young people are better equipped to address the challenges."
During the event, participants discussed the use of AI to develop online content and explored strategies that governments and civil society can adopt to address intolerance and hate in the online space.
Participants highlighted the impact of AI in generating and spreading online hatred, its corrosive effects on societies, and its potential for inspiring hate-motivated attacks in real life. At the same time, they noted, civil society actors can harness the positive potential of generative AI to create and disseminate prosocial messaging and work with young technologists to tackle intolerance and hate in an unprecedented way.
ODIHR convenes the experiences and knowledge of experts, practitioners and change-makers from across the 57 States of the OSCE to develop targeted tools and resources to address hate and exclusion. The resulting dialogue is essential in shaping and guiding efforts to foster open, equal and inclusive societies throughout the OSCE region.
