A/HRC/57/70
people of African descent, while often concentrated in resource-rich areas, remain socially
and economically disadvantaged. This is the case in digitalization, in science and technology
as much as necessary for the advancement of their communities and societies, as they have
excelled in other areas such as the arts and sports.
E.
The arts, sports and culture
50.
The cultural rights of people of African descent risk marginalization in the digital age.
Digital platforms and AI algorithms that prioritize certain types of content over others can
marginalize cultural expressions and contributions from communities of African descent.
This cultural marginalization not only undermines the diversity of digital spaces but also
contributes to the erasure of Black cultural identities and narratives. The lack of
representation in the development of digital technologies means that the cultural nuances and
needs of people of African descent are often overlooked. This exclusion is particularly
evident in content recommendation algorithms on social media and streaming platforms,
which may not promote content created by or relevant to Black communities. Through
policies and practices, it is imperative to design meaningful inclusivity and representation in
the tech industry to ensure that digital technologies serve the diverse cultural needs of all
communities.
51.
Digitalization has the potential to bring diverse people together to build strong
relationships through various forms of artistic expression. A growing body of research points
towards the value of arts and sports-based community development initiatives and standpoint
projects involving transformative youth organising with people of African descent which
seek to support people in the exploration and self-expression of their identities and develop
their sense of agency. People of African descent recognize the value of arts in renegotiating
identities. It can provide ‘a powerful means of representing identity, and of asserting cultural
difference’.36 However, a knowledge gap persists, for example around how young African
diaspora in Australia create and use the art form of Hip Hop to develop and broadcast their
political voice as a site of resistance, particularly to racializing discourses for sustaining
agency, countering stereotypes, and through self-determination. Digitalization is not always
used to benefit of people of African descent, however. Unlimited access to the intellectual
property of others remains a major concern.
F. Current and emerging regulatory regime
52.
The Working Group takes note of the diversity of measures and initiatives being taken
at the national, regional and international levels to address the moral and ethical concerns
about AI.
53.
In October 2022, the Food and Drug Administration 37 in the United States, issued
guidance significantly broadening the scope of the tools it plans to regulate. This guidance
emphasizes that more must be done to combat bias and promote equity amid the growing
number and increasing use of AI and algorithmic tools. On 30 October 2023, the United
States government issued the Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy
Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence,38 which stressed the need for AI policies to
comply with all Federal laws and be consistent with “equity and civil rights”. It expressed
concern about how AI had been used to deepen discrimination and bias. It stated that AI
36
37
38
Sarah Williams, submission by the African Australian Advocacy Centre.
See Food and Drug Administration, “Clinical Decision Support Software: Guidance for Industry and
Food and Drug Administration Staff”, 28 September 2022, available at
https://www.fda.gov/media/109618/download.
The White House, “Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of
Artificial Intelligence”, 30 October 2023, available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefingroom/presidential-actions/2023/10/30/executive-order-on-the-safe-secure-and-trustworthydevelopment-and-use-of-artificial-intelligence/.
13