Title: Why Do Human Rights Matter for Emerging Technologies like AI?
Description: Dr. Wendy H. Wong will discuss some of the key themes from her book, We, the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age, which is a new book published by MIT Press. Human rights are one of the major political innovations of the 20th century. Their emergence after World War II and global uptake promised a new world in which human autonomy, community, dignity, and equality could be protected. Datafication, however, poses some unique challenges for our human rights framework because they are “sticky” and ubiquitous in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). The talk focuses on takeaways from the book that ties AI and data to human rights, with a special emphasis on how public libraries helps us realize the right to education in the digital age. We will also discuss how libraries are well positioned to help us realize widespread data literacy.
When: Thursday, November 6th at 2pm – 3:30pm
Who should attend: Library workers with an interest in the impact of AI
*Registration now closed
Presenter: Wendy H. Wong is a professor and Principal’s Research Chair in the Department of Economics, Philosophy, and Political Science at the University of British Columbia (Okanagan campus). In 2024, she was recognized as UBC Okanagan Researcher of the Year. A distinguished political scientist specializing in International Relations, her research encompasses global governance, technology, human rights, and NGOs. Dr. Wong has secured over $2.2 million in funding for her qualitative studies from prominent organizations, including SSHRC and the Canada Research Chairs program. Her recent book, We, the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age (MIT, 2023), merges her expertise in human rights with insights from Big Data and AI, advocating for digital literacy with public libraries as essential community hubs.
The book has received notable recognition, including the Balsillie Prize for Public Policy. The book was also a finalist for the 2024 Lionel-Gelber Prize and was highlighted by CBC’s The House and the Journal of Democracy. Dr. Wong frequently contributes to media discussions on technology and societal issues. Previously, she directed the Trudeau Center for Peace, Conflict, and Justice, and served as Research Lead at the Schwartz Reisman Institute at the University of Toronto.
Cost: We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, which enables us to offer this event free of charge.