Ministers issue declaration on artificial intelligence and rights of persons with disabilities

The Nordic ministers for health and social affairs and the Nordic and Baltic ministers for digitalisation have issued a joint declaration on artificial intelligence (AI) and the rights of persons with disabilities. 

In the declaration, the ministers commit to promoting the rights and participation of persons with disabilities in discussions and decisions on AI at the national, Nordic and Baltic levels. 

“Given the rapid development of AI, it is challenging to predict all the possibilities it holds. In the Nordic and Baltic countries, we aim to identify the opportunities AI offers for promoting the participation and rights of persons with disabilities in different areas of life, and to avoid discriminatory practice,” the ministers state in the declaration.

As part of innovations and development of AI, it must be ensured that the rights of persons with disabilities are taken into account and promoted amid the rapid development of AI and all digital solutions. The implementation of equitable digitalisation and AI requires that all people are kept involved in the development on equal grounds.

When used right, AI can promote the opportunities of persons with disabilities to participate, live independently as part of society, access information, communicate, study and work. AI must be developed in a way that takes into account the needs of different user groups and the protection of personal data. The digital skills of persons with disabilities must also be supported.

The declaration was issued on Wednesday 11 June at a side event held in connection with the 18th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, COSP18, in New York.

Inquiries:

Tea Hoffrén, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 220
Tuomas Leppo, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 120
Markus Rahkola, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Finance, tel. +358 295 530 139

Email addresses are in the format: firstname.lastname@gov.fi