A/HRC/57/70 and deployment, whether for good or for ill. Their impact is therefore not merely aggregative but cumulative, with each successive use, adaptation and/or application of an earlier technology building on what already was in place in multiple ways, faster and farther. 20. While digitalization and AI are inherently neutral and objective, they are designed, developed and deployed by human beings. Human beings have perceptions and perspectives, postures and positions on every issue. They are therefore inherently subjective, naturally biased and potentially discriminatory and damaging or equalizing and enabling to other human beings, all capacities that they consciously and/or unconsciously integrate into digital technologies, which in turn automate or augment these capacities. The ethical implications and ramifications of digital technologies for human beings and human ecology are therefore a critical area of concern. In his 12 July 2023 address at the high-level side event of the fiftythird session of the Human Rights Council, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted that ‘to be effective, to be humane, to put people at the heart of the development of new technologies, any solution – any regulation – must be grounded in respect for human rights.’ According to a recent ILO research paper, “AI is aiming to replace humans in strenuous mental tasks rather than physical ones which has largely happened with the previous waves of automation and robotisation.” 8 For people of African descent who routinely face institutional, structural and systemic racism, whether everyday apps or complex algorithms, digitalization and AI have the potential to mask, accelerate, intensify, broaden and deepen discrimination, while appearing neutral and even benevolent when compared to the non-digital racist practices of previous eras. They also offer unprecedented opportunities to protect and promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law. 21. While digital technologies bring solutions to societal problems, the unpredictable nature and uncontrolled use, inexplicability, and reflection or amplification of data biases raise various concerns about privacy, security, fairness, human rights and even democracy. Increasing evidence demonstrates how existing and emerging technologies might not only exacerbate existing inequalities, but differentiate, target and experiment on marginalized communities. Racialized communities are disproportionately negatively affected by surveillance, (data-driven) profiling, discrimination online and other digital rights violations. While these technologies are increasingly deployed to address complex social problems, their impact on people of African descent is systematically overlooked. A. Virtual consultation with experts on AI 22. The Working Group organized a virtual consultation on 23 July 2024 with technology experts engaged in digitalization, AI, and new and emerging technologies. The consultation explored the racialization, documented misuse and the actual and potential discriminatory impact of digitalization, AI, and new and emerging technologies on the ESCRs of people of African descent. 23. Focusing on “African Economic Independence in the Age of AI and Digitalization”, Kofi Takyi Asante, Institute of statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana, highlighted the revolutionary potential of AI and digitalization and explained that it involved risks as well as enhanced efficiency and productivity. He informed that by 2030, AI is projected to contribute $15.7 trillion to global GDP, and that the greatest gains will go to China (45%) and North America (14.5%).9 Of the $15.7 trillion, $1.2 trillion could be generated in Africa.10 He explained that in Africa, many sectors could benefit from the application of AI, including health, agriculture, water, clean energy, and many more. He further explained that it could contribute to Africa’s achievement of the AU Agenda 2063 and SDGs. Mr. Asante pointed out that AI development is currently concentrated in China, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Some universities in Africa have now opened AI labs, including the University of Pretoria, Makerere University, Kwame Nkrumah University 8 9 10 6 Submission by the International Labour Organization (ILO), “The economics of artificial intelligence: Implications for the future of work”, as cited in the report of the Council of Europe (CoE), “Artificial intelligence and labour markets: friend or foe?”, Doc. 15159, p. 6. Price Waterhouse Coopers. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.