Towards ethical AI governance
Globethics, in partnership with Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and the Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (IEAI) at the Technical University of Munich, hosted a high-level policy dialogue on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights as an official side event to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva in March 2025. The event gathered more than 90 participants, including diplomats, academics, civil society leaders, and private sector representatives, to move the conversation from discussion to concrete action.
The dialogue underscored the critical urgency of inclusive, ethical, and accountable AI governance as technological developments accelerate. Through robust exchange, the expert panel - Amb. Prof. Muhammadou M.O. Kah, Ph.D Nicole Manger (German Federal Foreign Office), Olivier Alais (International Telecommunication Union), Paola Gálvez Callirgos (Center for AI and Digital Policy and Globethics Non-resident fellow for AI Ethics), and moderators and organisers Alexander Kriebitz, Caitlin Corrigan, and Fadi Daou - issued key calls to action to safeguard human rights in the age of AI:
- Appoint a UN Special Rapporteur on AI & Human Rights to provide dedicated oversight, promote accountability, and ensure global coordination.
- Develop a global framework to assess and standardise AI’s impact on human rights, grounded in multi-stakeholder collaboration.
- Establish an international institution specifically tasked with governing AI development and deployment to prevent harm and promote shared values.
- Strengthen the Human Rights Council’s role in leading global dialogue and policy coherence on AI and human rights.
- Ban lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) to mitigate AI-driven threats to democracy, human security, and freedom of expression.
The event also celebrated the critical role of women in AI ethics and governance, including a message from Dr. Alessandra Sala, Co-Chair of UNESCO’s Women in Ethical AI initiative.
From confronting algorithmic bias to shaping inclusive policies, women leaders are playing a transformative role in ensuring AI serves all of humanity. As noted during the event: diversity in AI is not optional - it’s essential.
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