Strategic Priority 1: Ensuring human centric innovation

During the drafting of the EU AI Act, a fake narrative has spread in policy circles which posits an inherent contradiction between innovation and fundamental rights protection. However, since at least the enlightenment, innovation has been defined and measured by reference to the betterment of the human condition and to its contribution to the common good. Learning from the dark side of our history, we need to spread awareness about the dangers of this logic which assumes that we have to accept risks, and in a slippery slope human rights violations as collateral damage, and which in effect limits accountability. CAIDP Europe will ensure that this logic does not contaminate the EU AI Act enforcement phase. We will advocate for a rights-based approach to AI regulation in order to put back the human at the start, center and end of innovation. To achieve this goal, CAIDP Europe will develop research, advocacy, and advisory activities towards European and national institutions and conduct civic awareness campaigns in order to promote:

  • Human-centric AI by design. CAIDP Europe will take all appropriate measures to ensure that the right to algorithmic transparency; data protection rights, quality and sound governance; the right to non-discrimination are duly enforced throughout Europe.

    CAIDP Europe will advocate for Fundamental Rights Impact Assessments (FRIAs), whether under the EU AI Act or the Digital Services Act, to use the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights as a benchmark. Human rights violations ought to be sanctioned and the vulnerability of the people and communities concerned deserve due consideration. CAIDP Europe aims to participate in the work of the Commission, the EU AI Office and the DSA enforcement team, regarding FRIA drafting and operationalisation. The same goes for future work of the Council of Europe Committee on AI. CAIDP Europe will advocate for and monitor iterative contribution from civil society.

    CAIDP Europe will ensure that the technical standardisation process operationalising the EU AI Act does not transform into an opportunity for BigTech to rewrite the rules of the game. CAIDP Europe will closely monitor the compliance of the standards with the requirements of the EU AI Act and take any necessary legal action to ensure it.

  • Awareness, prevention and correction of structural inequalities especially those which come from power relationship or society such as regarding the rights of workers, marginalised communities, people with disabilities, or children. CAIDP Europe will make sure that their voice is heard, through representation or expert support to specialised organisations.

  • Respect for the rights of migrants and asylum seekers. Human rights do not stop at the borders. Migrants and asylum seekers should not serve as guinea pigs for AI experimentations under the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum. CAIDP Europe will call on European and national authorities to stop illegal practices.

  • Human-centric accountability. For the persons and communities negatively affected by the use of AI, this translates into the right to be informed about such use; the right to an effective remedythrough individual or collective action and the right to a fair trial. CAIDP Europe aims to perform  testing in concrete cases and engage in strategic litigation to ensure these rights do not remain a dead letter.

  • Effective prohibition of AI practices defined in the EU AI Act such as certain subliminal techniques or purposefully manipulative or deceptive techniques; AI systems that exploit any of the vulnerabilities of an individual or a specific group of persons due to their age, disability or a specific social or economic situation; social scoring; emotional recognition in the workplace.

  • Monitor any deletion from the list classifying AI systems as high risk and advocate for any addition based on fact-based evidence

  • Effective registration of high-risk AI systems in the dedicated EU database to ensure compliance with the obligations enshrined in the EU AI Act.

  • The right to a sustainable environment and to effective protection by State authorities from adverse effects of climate change. On the basis of the recent case law of the European Court of Human rights and in synergy with the EU AI Act, CAIDP Europe will advocate for European and State authorities to adopt the necessary measures to ensure sustainability by design towards a successful twin green and digital transition.

  • The monitoring and spreading of information about best practices and concerning ones.

In support of these actions, CAIDP Europe will undertake the mapping of issues and correlated legislation under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights / Council of Europe European Convention on Human Rights. The AI revolution and European risk-based approach should not lead to a lowering of European standards of fundamental rights protection. This research and monitoring activity will be crucial in identifying and advocating for potential solutions to concrete issues, fostering upward convergence and preventing the erosion of the European rights-based model through “international Interoperability” of regional and national standards.