The Hidden Bias of Artificial Intelligence: Protecting Rights in a Tech-Driven World​

In an era where intelligent automation is rapidly becoming the cornerstone of technological advancement, and industrial automation is streamlining processes across countless industries, artificial intelligence (AI) stands as a linchpin within this ecosystem of innovation. Automation equipment, from the factory floor to digital platforms, increasingly relies on AI to function with efficiency and precision. However, as AI permeates deeper into our daily lives, powering everything from automated customer service to complex decision-making systems, a shadow looms large over its promise of objectivity and progress. The critical question emerges: Can we truly trust the suggestions and decisions made by AI systems when the data they learn from is tainted by human prejudice and biases? As AI continues to be integrated into intelligent automation, industrial automation, and the operation of automation equipment, the implications of these biases extend far beyond mere technical inaccuracies, posing significant threats to social justice and human rights in our tech-driven world.​

Artificial Intelligence is one of the most emerging technologies in this 21st century, evolving new technologies and innovation is reshaping and transforming our modern society, it is also playing a significant role to enhance functionality in almost all the sectors, its most remarkable ability lies in learning from vast amount of data and offer predictive and solution oriented insights (Russell & Norvig, 2021; Marr, 2020). But as AI becomes more embedded in daily life, a critical question arises: can we trust unbiased and fair suggestions when the data they learn from is riddled with human prejudice and biases? Biases and prejudice not only lead to discrimination but also create social inequality in society, which is a menace to the development of a nation. AI promises of efficiency and objectivity are drastically being challenged by concerns over algorithmic discrimination, lack of transparency and violation of fundamental human rights (Eubanks, 2018). There is a book titled Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor. written by Varginia Eubanks discussed that how AI and data driven systems disproportionately affect the poor in designing welfare policy, citizen Identification by police departments, and housing policy, apart from that As Kate Crawford (2021) argues in Atlas of AI, artificial intelligence is not an abstract or neutral technology. It is deeply entangled with systems of labor, ecology, and power. Far from correcting human errors, AI often entrenches and automates them—disproportionately impacting the rights of those already marginalized. When AI learns from biased historical data it can reproduce and even magnify those same injustices.​

AI systems, though often perceived as neutral, can inherit and amplify human biases in three major ways. Algorithmic bias, which stems from design choices, occurs when developers unconsciously embed their own assumptions into how the system makes decisions. For example, resume screening algorithms have been found to favor male candidates over equally qualified women, reflecting historical hiring data skewed by gender bias. Data bias emerges when the datasets used to train AI do not adequately represent marginalized communities. A notable case is facial recognition technology, which has shown significantly higher error rates for women and people of color because these groups were underrepresented in the training data (Buolamwini & Gebru, 2018). Lastly, deployment bias refers to how and where AI tools are implemented. Predictive policing algorithms, when deployed in low-income or minority neighborhoods already under heavy surveillance, can unfairly target these communities and reinforce cycles of criminalization (O’Neil, 2016). These biases are not just technical flaws—they pose real threats to social justice and human rights.​

Human Rights at Risk​

As we all know, the artificial Intelligence system is extensively shaping our decision making in the contemporary milieu. Many fundamental human rights are being compromised, often unnoticed, this is the violation of right to equality and non discrimination (Article 7 UDHR) if algorithms produce outcomes that disproportionality disadvantage certain groups for instance, In 2018 Amazon company have used AI powered hiring platform to eliminate women applicants for technical roles and disparaged resumes that included the word “Women” or associated with minority background due to historical data patterns (Dastin, J. 2018), it leads to exclusion in society and reinforced inequality, consequently, it also violates and undermine the right to privacy article 12 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights by using AI surveillance technologies to monitoring data without having individual consent, apart from that, right to a fair trial also at risk while using advanced artificial intelligence technologies in current judicial system, such as risk assessment algorithms that recommend bail or sentencing, many a times these system shows results on the basis of wrong and opaque observations and numerics pattern with unchallengeable logic, unequivocally it can lead to unfair outcomes especially for marginalized defendants,​

India and Contemporary World​

Most of the western countries are on track to restrain AI in a way that respects human rights, for instance European union has tabled a EU Artificial Intelligence Act by European Commission in April 2021 to regulate AI system and its algorithm based on their risk to fundamental rights, safety and secure democratic values, this is the first and foremost landmark comprehensive legal framework on AI by major global bloc, (European Commission, 2021), apart from that, UNESCO’s has recommended on the ethics of Artificial Intelligence (2021), call for fairness, accountability and inclusivity in Al development, furthermore, United State of America released its blueprint for an AI bill of rights in 2022, focused on privacy, algorithm fairness and human control over automated system. India however, lacking behind of designing comprehensive legal framework for governing Artificial Intelligence, although the country has seen expeditious adoption of new artificial technologies such as welfare delivery, policing, and education, this has raised the concerns around digital exclusion, opaque decision making and surveillance creep, (NITI Aayog, 2018). For instance facial recognition systems are already in use by Indian law enforcement agencies often without clear legal authorization or oversight mechanism. In the absence of robust data protection law further exacerbates risk to individual privacy and consent, there are still significant loopholes in protecting users rights and restricting state surveillance even with the implementation of digital personal data protection act 2023. As India’s position itself as global leader in Al Innovation, it must also lead in enacting safeguards that uphold democratic values and human rights.​

Way Forward​

In a world increasingly driven by intelligent automation, industrial automation, and the seamless operation of automation equipment, the role of AI is pivotal. However, to ensure that this technological progress does not come at the expense of human rights and social justice, urgent action is required. Artificial Intelligence must be developed and deployed through a human rights based framework that prioritises equality, dignity and accountability. Mandatory AI impact assessments should be institutionalised as a cornerstone of this approach, rigorously evaluating potential harms before deployment, especially in sensitive sectors where automation equipment and AI systems are deeply integrated, such as policing, healthcare, and welfare. These assessments need to be transparent and subject to review by independent oversight bodies to foster public trust in the technologies that underpin intelligent and industrial automation.​

Addressing bias at the source is equally crucial. AI systems, whether powering complex industrial automation processes or simple automation equipment, must be trained on diverse and representative datasets that reflect the lived realities of all segments of society, including women, minorities, and historically marginalized communities. In the context of India and other nations, evolving a robust legal framework is non-negotiable. This framework should ensure data protection, algorithmic transparency, and provide effective recourse for individuals affected by biased AI outcomes. The establishment of an independent AI ethics commission with real enforcement powers can act as a safeguard, ensuring that AI technologies are developed and used responsibly within the broader landscape of intelligent and industrial automation.​

Finally, democratic involvement in AI governance is essential. As AI becomes increasingly intertwined with intelligent automation, industrial automation, and automation equipment, the people whose lives are impacted by these technologies should have a say in their creation and application. The media, academia, and civil society must continue to play an active role in promoting public dialogue and holding those in positions of authority accountable. Only by taking these comprehensive steps can we harness the full potential of AI, ensuring that it serves as a force for good in our tech-driven world, rather than a tool that perpetuates bias and undermines human rights within the framework of intelligent and industrial automation.