We’re thrilled to share that our <AI & Equality> Human Rights Initiative Community Commentary has been featured in the Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Declaration was launched at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference on June 2–3, 2025.
This marks a significant milestone in our community’s role in shaping responsible AI policy.
Earlier this year, members of our AI & Equality community responded to a global call for input issued by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The submission emphasized that AI technologies are rapidly transforming societies—and in doing so, are increasingly affecting fundamental human rights. From healthcare and education to employment and safety, AI has the potential to both advance and undermine rights, often exacerbating existing inequalities.
Our Community Commentary issued an urgent call to action: governments must uphold their international legal obligations to protect and fulfill human rights, while companies must respect these rights in all stages of AI development and deployment. We stressed that without decisive, inclusive governance, AI could deepen social and economic divides.
We offered concrete recommendations grounded in lived experience and a commitment to justice. These include:
Embedding gender equality and inclusion into AI governance frameworks.
Advancing the “right to AI” by ensuring equitable access to beneficial technologies.
Investing in locally developed AI solutions, particularly in under-resourced countries.
Encouraging participatory, community-led AI development as a foundation of responsible innovation.
Our contribution emphasized that sustainable, rights-based AI is only possible through meaningful, multi-stakeholder collaboration. If communities impacted by AI systems are not at the table—before, during, and after deployment—those systems cannot truly serve the people they affect.
Being featured in the Hamburg Declaration reflects the growing recognition that community-driven insights are vital in global AI policymaking. As the Declaration itself underscores, achieving the SDGs through AI requires inclusive, transparent, and accountable approaches.
We invite you to read our full Community Commentary and explore the Hamburg Declaration to learn more about how our work is helping shape international standards for AI and sustainable development.
This is just the beginning. We remain committed to continuing this collective journey toward AI that advances equity, dignity, and human rights for all.
