India’s Hansa Mehta, a key figure in international human rights, is praised by General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock for her advocacy for women’s rights in the era of Artificial Intelligence. Mehta’s pivotal role in amending the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to be gender-inclusive is highlighted, emphasizing her enduring impact on human rights principles. Baerbock underscores the importance of upholding Mehta’s legacy in shaping AI regulations to ensure gender equality and protection for all.
Baerbock acknowledges Mehta’s persistence in championing the change from “all men” to “all human beings” in the Declaration despite initial resistance, emphasizing the significant impact of this seemingly small alteration. The annual Hansa Mehta Memorial lecture, themed “Breaking barriers for Social Transformation,” celebrates Mehta’s inspirational life and her contributions to advancing women’s rights and social equality. Baerbock draws attention to the disparities in digital technology access for women and the concerning misuse of AI technologies to target and exploit women, underscoring the need for inclusive and equitable technological development.
Highlighting India’s commitment to harnessing AI for societal progress, Baerbock commends the country’s hosting of the second AI Impact Summit as a step towards leveraging technology for the benefit of all. She emphasizes the transformative power of individual actions, citing Mehta’s role as one of the few women in India’s Constituent Assembly responsible for drafting the Constitution, as an example of how societal change can be driven by inclusive participation and advocacy for human rights.
