Google questioned on AI responsibilities and human rights impacts
The Joint Committee on Human Rights continues its inquiry into human rights and the regulation of AI evidence from Global Head of Human Rights at Google, Alexandria Walden, who has been at the company for over ten years and founded Google’s Human Rights Program.
Meeting details
Google is one of the world’s leading tech companies, at the forefront of the development and implementation of AI tools for the public to use. It is the most used search engine in the UK and has recently implemented automatic ‘AI overviews’ prominently in displayed search results. Other Google AI products include Gemini, a generative AI tool, and DeepMind. Their Nano Banana system is an AI image generator enabling users to edit and create high quality images from doodles or prompts.
In this session, the Committee will question Google’s Global Head of Human Rights on what can be done to ensure AI is developed and used in a way that protects human rights. The discussion will address whether the UK’s existing regulatory framework strikes the right balance between supporting innovation and protecting human rights.
Key issues such as transparency, accountability, and justice for AI harms will be covered; including the company’s own approach to protecting individuals and the wider public from negative consequences of AI use. Members may probe Google on matters such as age restrictions, how to avoid biassed outcomes, and whether the public should have a “right to know” when interacting with AI. The Committee will also explore what future developments in AI may mean for human rights and wider society.