In April 2021, Equinet organized a training on AI & Equality for National Equality Bodies. The aim of the training was to share the basic technical knowledge, discuss legal and practical challenges and present some examples of current AI applications that might challenge Equality and Human Rights. An exchange of good practices among colleagues enhanced mutual learning.
If you missed the training, or would like to refresh your knowledge on AI and Equality, you can now follow the training sessions on YouTube! To do so, please follow the hyperlink to each session of the agenda:
22 April: Technical specificities, practical and regulatory challenges of AI
- Session I. Setting the scene: how does artificial intelligence (AI) affect equality and the work of Equality Bodies?
- Understanding Automated Decision-Making and their implication for Equality, Raja Chatila (Sorbonne University)
- Regulating for an Equal AI: A New Role for Equality Bodies, Robin Allen (Cloisters)
- Session II. Equality Bodies and AI: best practice examples
- Colleagues from the national equality bodies of France, Slovenia and Germany discussed their involvement in national and European initiatives as well as the work they have already undertaken on the topic in the light of the challenges identified in Equinet’s report.
- Session III. Challenges and opportunities for gender equality and non-discrimination
- ‘Why Fairness Cannot Be Automated: Bridging the gap between EU non-discrimination law and AI’, Sandra Wachter (University of Oxford)
- Algorithmic Discrimination in Europe. Challenges and opportunities for gender equality and non-discrimination law, Janneke Gerards (Utrecht University) and Raphaële Xenidis (University of Edinburgh and University of Copenhagen)
30 April: Examples of current AI applications that might challenge Equality and Human Rights and possible ways of involvement for equality bodies
- Session I. Setting the scene: underlying mechanisms and overwhelming contexts
- Getting the future right – Artificial intelligence and fundamental rights. Examples of theoretical assessment of harm and significant impact of AI or automated decisions, Elise Lassus (FRA)
- Monitoring and analysing ADM systems used to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fabio Chiusi (Algorithm Watch)
- Session II. Applications in specific fields
- The Dutch Childcare Allowance, Alexander Hoogenboom (Netherlands Institute for Human Rights)
- Facial recognition in law enforcement, Nani Jansen Reventlow and Laurence Meyer (Digital Freedom Fund)
- Session III. Preserving equality – New European legal and regulatory approaches and possible ways for involvement for equality bodies
- European regulatory initiatives for AI and possible ways of involvement: EU and CoE, Nathalie Smuha (KU Leuven, Faculty of Law)
- Shaping Europe’s digital future - The European Commission’s regulatory framework proposal on AI, Eike Gräf (European Commission - Restricted access only, please log in to the website to access via the library)
If you have any questions about this training, please contact Milla Vidina, Policy Officer (Milla.Vidina@equineteurope.org).