*|MC:SUBJECT|*

CUTS Daily Bulletin # 03 | July 09, 2026

Advancing Human-Centred and Trustworthy AI

Day 3 Highlights

The third day of the AI for Good Summit reinforced a defining message emerging from global discussions on artificial intelligence (AI): technological innovation must remain firmly anchored in human values, human rights and public trust. Through discussions on human rights, Indigenous knowledge systems and trusted AI agents, participants emphasised that the long-term success of AI will depend not only on technological advances but also on governance frameworks that are transparent, accountable and inclusive. Across the sessions, speakers highlighted that AI should strengthen human well-being, promote sustainable development and serve the broader public interest while respecting the diversity of cultures, societies and governance systems.

Placing Human Rights at the Centre of AI Governance

The session "AI through a Human Rights Lens" examined the implications of AI for fundamental rights, democratic governance and social justice. Participants agreed that existing international human rights frameworks provide a strong foundation for governing emerging technologies and should guide the design, deployment and regulation of AI systems in ways that uphold human dignity, equality, privacy, freedom of expression and non-discrimination.

While acknowledging AI's transformative potential in healthcare, education, justice and humanitarian action, the discussion also highlighted significant risks, including mass surveillance, algorithmic discrimination, misinformation, deepfakes and the manipulation of public discourse. Speakers stressed that technological progress should prioritise human well-being rather than efficiency or commercial interests alone, with people—not algorithms—remaining at the centre of decision-making.

Particular emphasis was placed on protecting children, marginalised communities and individuals with limited digital literacy, who often face disproportionate exposure to AI-enabled harms. Participants also highlighted the responsibility of organisations developing and deploying AI to remain accountable for the societal impacts of these technologies and to provide appropriate mechanisms for redress where harm occurs. Given AI's inherently cross-border nature, the discussion underscored the importance of international cooperation in developing coherent governance frameworks while respecting diverse national contexts.

Learning from Indigenous Knowledge

The session "AI, Indigenous Wisdom, and the Future of Humanity" highlighted the valuable contribution that Indigenous knowledge systems can make to the responsible development of AI. Participants emphasised that Indigenous communities have long practised holistic approaches to environmental stewardship, governance and community well-being that offer important lessons for designing more inclusive, sustainable and human-centred technologies.

The discussion encouraged policymakers and technology developers to move beyond exclusively technological or Western policy perspectives by incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing into AI governance and innovation. Participants noted that Indigenous stewardship principles can inform AI applications addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation and environmental resilience while supporting the preservation of Indigenous languages, cultural heritage and traditional knowledge.

Speakers also stressed that Indigenous Peoples should actively participate in AI governance and decision-making processes, ensuring that technological advances reflect diverse perspectives and contribute to shared prosperity. A recurring message was that AI should embrace the Indigenous principles of reciprocity, respect and intergenerational responsibility, recognising that today's technological choices will have lasting social and environmental consequences.

Building Trust in the Next Generation of AI

The session "Trusted AI Agents: Securing the Next Layer of Intelligence" examined the emergence of increasingly autonomous AI agents capable of coordinating complex workflows, making decisions and interacting across interconnected digital environments with limited human intervention.

Participants agreed that trust must become a foundational principle throughout the AI lifecycle. As AI agents assume greater autonomy, ensuring robust cybersecurity, transparency, accountability and effective governance becomes increasingly important. Users should clearly understand when they are interacting with AI systems, what decisions those systems are authorised to make and how meaningful human oversight is maintained, particularly where AI influences public services or critical infrastructure.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of integrating security throughout the AI lifecycle—from design and deployment to continuous monitoring and incident response. Investments in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity capacity, regulatory preparedness and technical skills were identified as essential to enabling countries, particularly developing economies, to participate safely and equitably in the next generation of AI. Participants further emphasised that governments, industry, standards organisations, academia and civil society all have complementary roles in building secure, interoperable and trustworthy AI ecosystems.

Key Policy Messages

The discussions on Day 3 highlighted several priorities for advancing trustworthy AI:

Anchoring AI governance in internationally recognised human rights principles.
Ensuring that AI remains human-centred, transparent, accountable and subject to meaningful human oversight.
Integrating Indigenous knowledge and diverse cultural perspectives into AI governance and innovation.
Strengthening cybersecurity, risk management and governance frameworks for increasingly autonomous AI systems.
Expanding digital infrastructure, institutional capacity and technical skills to support inclusive AI adoption.
Promoting international cooperation and multi-stakeholder collaboration to address the global opportunities and risks associated with AI.

Looking Ahead

The third day of the AI for Good Summit demonstrated that the future of artificial intelligence will be shaped not only by advances in technology but also by the values that guide its development and deployment. Across discussions on human rights, Indigenous knowledge and trusted AI agents, participants consistently reinforced that responsible AI requires strong institutions, inclusive participation and international collaboration. Ensuring that AI respects human rights, embraces diverse knowledge systems and earns public trust will be fundamental to ensuring that technological innovation contributes to sustainable development, social inclusion and shared prosperity.

Take your first step towards change with CUTS International

Jaipur • New Delhi • Chittorgarh • Kolkata • Hanoi • Nairobi • Lusaka • Accra • Geneva • Washington DC