What are the human rights implications of technology? What is the human rights perspective on elections and generative AI? How can social media, digital literacy, and critical thinking be included in the school curriculum? What is the importance of the technology industry to take human rights considerations into account? How can human rights be a powerful transformative force for the better of the world and how can we close the digital divide and use technology to combat hunger and ensure education is innovated around the world?

With Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, we answer these questions and discuss the human rights lens on the new and emerging technologies and what role states and technology companies have in safeguarding democracy and human rights.  

Volker Türk has devoted his long and distinguished career to advancing universal human rights, notably the international protection of some of the world`s most vulnerable people, refugees, and stateless persons. Before Mr. Türk was appointed UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, he was the Under Secretary General for Policy in the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General and, prior to this, Assistant Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and several key positions at UNCHR headquarters. Volker Türk holds a doctorate in international law from the University of Vienna and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Linz, Austria.