Published: June 2025

ICNL has submitted joint comments on a recent African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) draft study examining the impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on human rights.

The submission was prepared in collaboration with the following members of the Digital Rights Alliance Africa (DRAA):

• Baseiota Foundation
• Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)
• Thomas & Michael Advocates/Walezi Wa Katiba
• Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET)

The ACHPR’s Draft Study on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Other New and Emerging Technologies in Africa was released on April 8, 2025, for public comments, and is available here.

The ICNL-DRAA joint submission makes several recommendations for inclusion in the final report, including:

• Increased emphasis on the importance of civil society’s role in AI policymaking, including in drafting national AI strategies and implementing AI oversight.
• The need to directly address privacy rights, including data protection and surveillance risks.
• The addition of specific recommendations on privacy rights.
• Further examination of how AI will impact the right to freedom of association.

The full submission is available here.