ICNL is proud to share a landmark Joint Statement on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights released by the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) in July 2025, formally endorsed by 24 countries. The statement, launched at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), affirms the urgent need for AI governance grounded in international human rights law. It calls on governments, the private sector, and multistakeholder communities to uphold human rights throughout the lifecycle of AI systems, emphasizing transparency, accountability, gender equity, and the protection of marginalized groups. 

The statement responds to mounting global concerns that unregulated AI can deepen inequality, facilitate unchecked surveillance, and erode democratic participation. Drawing from lessons like the Netherlands’ own experience with discriminatory welfare algorithms, speakers at the launch—representing governments, civil society, and the private sector—underscored that the risks are no longer hypothetical. They pointed to disinformation, digital repression, and bias as urgent threats requiring coordinated, rights-based solutions. 

ICNL contributed substantively to shaping the joint statement and building consensus among participating states. As an active member of the FOC Advisory Network and co-chair of the Task Force on AI and Human Rights (TFAIR), alongside Germany and the Netherlands, ICNL continues to lead in advancing policy frameworks that center human rights in digital governance. 

Launch of the Joint Statement on AI and Human Rights at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). Pictured from left to right: Rasmus Lumi, Director General for International Organizations and Human Rights, Government of Estonia; Erika Moret, Director for UN and International Organizations, Microsoft; Devine Salese Agbeti, Director General of the Cyber Security Authority, Ghana; Ernst Noorman, Cyber Ambassador, Netherlands; and Zach Lampell, Senior Legal Advisor and Coordinator for Digital Rights, ICNL.