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Daily Archives: October 10, 2023

Disability Discrimination in the Digital Realm

Krupiy, Tetyana and Scheinin, Martin, Disability Discrimination in the Digital Realm: How the ICRPD Applies to Artificial Intelligence Decision-Making Processes and Helps in Determining the State of International Human Rights Law (August 7, 2023). Human Rights Law Review, 2023, 23, 1–27, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4544007

“Scholars have identified challenges to protecting individuals from discrimination in contexts where organisations deploy artificial intelligence decision-making processes. While scholarship on ‘digital discrimination’ is growing, scholars have paid less attention to the impact of the use of artificial intelligence decision-making processes on persons with disabilities. This article posits that while the use of artificial intelligence technology can be beneficial for some purposes, its deployment can also construct a disability. The article demonstrates that the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities can be interpreted in a manner that confers a wide variety of human rights on persons with disabilities in the context when entities deploy artificial intelligence decision-making processes. The article proposes a test for digital discrimination based on disability and shows how it can be incorporated into the treaty through legal interpretation. Thereafter, it moves to developing an analogous general test for digital discrimination under international human rights law, applicable beyond a catalogue of protected characteristics.”

How to limit graphic social media images from the Israel-Hamas war

Washington Post [read free]: “You might be seeing violent, abhorrent videos in your social media feeds from Israel and Gaza. Those images have included the apparent killing of Israeli hostages, dead bodies and other cruelties. Those online videos can feed a hunger for information for people in Israel and Gaza in the absence of official… Continue Reading

Half of Americans can’t install solar panels. Here’s how they can plug into the sun

Washington Post [read free] – “Half of Americans can’t install solar panels. Here’s how they can plug into the sun…If you live in a state with a robust community solar market, subscribing is easy. Marketplaces like EnergySage aggregate projects signing up new subscribers. I typed in a Zip code in St. Paul, Minn., a hotbed… Continue Reading

Google announces new generative AI search capabilities for doctors

CNBC: Google Cloud on Monday announced new artificial intelligence-powered search capabilities that will help clinicians quickly access information from different data sources. It can be challenging for doctors and nurses to find information since it’s often stored across multiple systems and formats, so Google’s new tool brings it all to one place. The new features… Continue Reading

Google wants to be at the center of all your climate change decisions

The Verge: “People shopping for electric vehicles, heat pumps, or air conditioning units will see enhanced search results on Google in a series of updates the company hopes will help people live more sustainable, climate-friendly lives. The tech giant revealed the new updates alongside a host of expanded AI tools for people and policymakers to… Continue Reading

New Accidental Government Information Librarian webinar

The next Help! I’m an Accidental Government Information Librarian webinar is scheduled for October 18 from 3:00-4:00pm (Eastern). Session topic: Reporting on the World of Government Information – a panel presentation from the editors of “Government Information Landscape and Libraries”. Hosted by Jim Church (UC-Berkeley), Kay Cassel (Rutgers University) and Kate Tallman (University of Colorado… Continue Reading

Privacy professionals need to be aware of tech abuse

iapp, Simson Garfinkel, CIPP/US: “Features designed to improve privacy and protect children in online services, apps and networked devices also make it easier for abusers to maintain control in abusive relationships.  “Ever since caller ID and GPS became part of our lives, we’ve known that digital technologies can be used by abusers to harm or… Continue Reading