Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights

The aim of this project is to develop a database on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the Danish public sector and to create a student-led platform to explore these systems’ individual and collective human rights’ implications.

Computer code

Algorithms are playing an increasingly significant role in the decision-making processes that impact the daily lives of Danish citizens. Advocates argue that advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can enhance efficiency, reduce workload, and improve the quality of public services. However, numerous research projects have shown that the use of AI often brings about unintended consequences that affect human rights. To truly comprehend the challenges posed by the growing reliance on AI and make informed decisions about its design and regulation, it is crucial to understand where and how these systems are being employed. This project aims to address this need by creating a comprehensive overview of AI technology usage in the public sector's interactions with individuals and develop an accessible online database that can serve as a foundation for discussions regarding the implications of AI on human rights.

 

Algorithms are playing an increasingly significant role in the decision-making processes that impact the daily lives of Danish citizens. Advocates argue that advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can enhance efficiency, reduce workload, and improve the quality of public services. However, numerous research projects have shown that the use of AI often brings about unintended consequences that affect human rights. To truly comprehend the challenges posed by the growing reliance on AI and make informed decisions about its design and regulation, it is crucial to understand where and how these systems are being employed. This project aims to address this need by creating a comprehensive overview of AI technology usage in the public sector's interactions with individuals and develop an accessible online database that can serve as a foundation for discussions regarding the implications of AI on human rights.

 

The project is being developed with the support of Algoritmer, Data og Demokrati and in collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Researchers

Name Title Image
Ford, Sarah Scott Postdoc Billede af Ford, Sarah Scott
Godzimirska, Zuzanna Associate Professor Billede af Godzimirska, Zuzanna
Kucuksu, Aysel Eybil Postdoc Billede af Kucuksu, Aysel Eybil

Research students

Current research students

 

Malak is on her 8th semester of studying law at the University of Copenhagen. She has work experience from the Court in Glostrup and the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Copenhagen Police. During her studies she has gained a strong interest in the human rights aspect of law.

 

 

Klara is a student on the master's program in law, and deals in particular with human rights and immigration law. As part of the master's programme, she has interned at Denmark's permanent representation to the Council of Europe, where she wrote a project assignment on the implementation of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights in connection with the research project Human Rights Nudge. Alongside DIGR, she works at Retshjælpen Rusk. She has a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Copenhagen and has studied for six months at the University of Glasgow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former research students

 

Frederik is a student in History of Ideas at Aarhus University, doing his Master’s thesis on the conceptual history of the Internet in relation to democracy. Other fields of interest include human rights, inequality, globalization, cultural history, and international relations and politics. Previously, he has been part of the research project ‘An Intellectual History of Global Inequality, 1960-2015’ at Aarhus University, supported by DFF, and has worked at the Permanent Delegation of Denmark to UNESCO in Paris as an intern.

 

 

Markus studies philosophy and psychology at University of Copenhagen, and he is currently writing his bachelor's project on unconscious intentionality. As a freelance journalist, he has written for several Danish newspapers such as Politiken, Weekendavisen and Dagbladet Information. Previously, he has worked as an editor and writer for the current affairs magazine RÆSON.

 

Houda is a student on the master’s program in law at the University of Copenhagen. Alongside her work on the Artificial Intelligence & Human Rights project, she works at the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Copenhagen. Previously, she has worked at a law firm where she in particular dealt with immigration law.

 

Maria is a student on the master's program in law at the University of Copenhagen. She has a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Copenhagen. Maria has a strong interest in immigration law and human rights law. She has work experience from the Danish Immigration Service, the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Copenhagen Police and the Ministry of Immigration and Integration. Alongside her work on the Artificial Intelligence & Human Rights project, she works at Vesterbro Retshjælp.

 

 

 

Funding

Dreyers Fond

University of Copenhagen logo

The project has received generous support from Illum Fondet, Dreyers Fond and the UCPH.

Contact

Zuzanna Godzimirska

PI Associate Professor
Zuzanna Godzimirska


South Campus 
DK 2300 Copenhagen S
Phone: +45 35 33 08 83
Mobile: +45 81 93 59 31
Mail: zuzanna.godzimirska@jur.ku.dk

Aysel Eybil Kucuksu

PI Postdoc
Aysel Eybil Kucuksu

South Campus
DK 2300 Copenhagen S
Phone: +45 35 32 82 89
Mail: Aysel.Eybil.Kucuksu@jur.ku.dk