Human Rights and Technology

Study Notes

Human dignity is the belief that all people hold a special value tied solely to their humanity.
Human rights are inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948.
It is a global standard of fundamental human rights for universal recognition and protection.
The 7 Articles of UDHR are:
- Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
- Article 2: Everyone is entitled to all rights and freedom without distinction of any kind.
- Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.
- Article 4: No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
- Article 5: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
- Article 6: Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
- Article 7: All are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law without any discrimination.

The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) is a technological revolution that blurs the lines between physical, digital, and biological spheres.
The rise of machines and automation may render humans useless, replacing manual labor with machinery.
Robots are designed to perform complex, repetitive, or dangerous tasks, and may eventually develop human-like characteristics.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining ground in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, but may also lead to job loss and unemployment.
AI may also lead to ethical considerations, such as the treatment of AI and the blurring of lines between humans and machines.
The widespread use of AI may lead to humans becoming more machine-like, relying on technology for answers and losing the ability to think critically.

The development of society with its science and technology gives rise to more complex issues, requiring the protection and exercise of human rights.
The 4th Industrial Revolution presents opportunities to improve lives and change the world for the better.
However, the accumulation of great power and danger through technologies like robotics, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology poses a threat to humanity.
The importance of human rationality and the responsible use of science and technology are crucial to shaping the future of humanity.

The 1st Industrial Revolution (1760-1820) was marked by the rise of steam engines.
The 2nd Industrial Revolution (1820-1900) was jumpstarted with the use of electricity.
The 3rd Industrial Revolution (1900s) was the age of computers.
The 4th Industrial Revolution is marked by intelligence and is blurring the lines between physical, digital, and biological spheres.

The rise of machines may render humans useless as manual labor is gradually being replaced by machinery.
Robots are created to perform complex, repetitive, or dangerous tasks.
Artificial intelligence is gaining ground in the Philippines, especially in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

Technology enables the growth of the BPO industry, but it also poses a threat to jobs with the adoption of artificial intelligence.
By August 2017, it is estimated that a million Filipino BPO workers may be affected and lose their jobs with the adoption of artificial intelligence.

Business analytics uses consumer and industry data to come up with better decision-making with the help of AI.
AI raises ethical considerations, such as unemployment and the ethical treatment of AI.
As machines and robots approach having a human-like nature, humans may have the tendency to become machine-like.

The internet has become an instant go-to tool for answers, but people may forget how to process, read, think further, or put things in context.
Relying on computers to mediate our understanding of the world may flatten our own intelligence into artificial intelligence.

The development of society with its science and technology gives rise to more complex issues.
4IR presents us with opportunities to improve our lives and change the world for the better.
The COVID-19 global pandemic fast-tracked the development of 4IR technologies as we seek to do complex tasks with less in-person interactions.

Robotics, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology pose a threat to humans as they can self-replicate and potentially get out of control.
The accumulation of great power and great danger comes with each of these technologies.
Human nature may be corrupted when the powers of our mind, our rationality, and our science and technology become manifest.