Strengthening freedom of religion in the age of AI
At an international conference in Berlin, experts discuss how artificial intelligence influences freedom of religion or belief.
Berlin (d.de/bmz.de) – Germany wants to strengthen freedom of religion or belief in the digital sphere. To this end, an international conference on freedom of religion or belief took place in Berlin yesterday. It was initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief Frank Schwabe. High-level delegations from 30 countries and representatives of religious communities, civil society, science and business took part in the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
The conference focused on how artificial intelligence (AI) influences freedom of religion or belief. Schwabe emphasised that AI could have both positive and worrying effects. He said that while AI-based technologies could improve the ability of believers to participate in society in remote regions, there was at the same time a risk of hatred and disinformation being spread and of religious minorities being monitored. “We can only counter these negative developments by working with tech companies, civil society and governments,” Schwabe said. The aim of the conference was to foster international cooperation to strengthen these freedoms in the digital sphere and ensure human rights standards in the development and application of AI.