We held a major international conference on human rights and technology on 24 July 2018 in Sydney.
The conference explored the human rights implications of unprecedented technological change, and launched a major Australian Human Rights Commission project led by Human Rights Commissioner, Edward Santow.
Speakers
Program
We held a major international conference on human rights and technology on 24 July 2018 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney.

Opening
[ 9:00-9:25am ]
Welcome to Country
Welcome to Country, Gadigal Elder, Uncle Charles (Chicka) Madden
Introduction
Edward Santow, Human Rights Commissioner

Setting the scene: What role for human rights in a new age of technology?
[ 9:25-10:00am ]
An Australian perspective
Dr Alan Finkel AO, Chief Scientist of Australia
An international industry perspective
Kathy Baxter, User Research Architect, Salesforce

Panel 1 - Do androids dream of electric sheep? Deep dive on AI
[ 10:00-11:00am ]
This session will examine the human rights impacts of artificial intelligence.
Topics will include:
• Algorithmic decision making and bias
• AI and the justice system
• Big data including collection, availability, sharing and use
Panellists:
• Professor Toby Walsh, Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence, UNSW Sydney and Data61
• Kathy Baxter, User Research Architect, Salesforce
• Jake Lucchi, Head of Content and AI, Public Policy and Government Relations, Google Asia Pacific

Panel 2 - Human rights by design: Responsible innovation
[ 11:30 -12:30pm ]
This session will examine a human rights by design approach to foster responsible innovation.
Topics will include:
• Innovative ways to protect human rights through the design and development of emerging technologies
• Business and public sector accountability
• Governance and responsible innovation
Panellists:
• Professor Mary-Anne Williams, Director of the Innovation and Enterprise Research Laboratory (The Magic Lab), University of Technology Sydney
• Brett Solomon, Executive Director, Access Now
• Julie Inman Grant, eSafety Commissioner

Food for thought: How to be human in the digital world
[ 12:30-1:00pm ]
Exploring the social and individual impacts of new and emerging technologies.
Fireside chat:
• Professor Genevieve Bell, Director, 3A Institute, Australian National University and Senior Fellow, Intel
• Jake Lucchi, Head of Content and AI, Public Policy and Government Relations, Google Asia Pacific

Panel 3 - Inclusion Riders: People with disabilities and technology
[ 1:50-2:50pm ]
This session will examine the impact of emerging technology for people with disabilities.
Topics will include:
• Lived experiences of people with disabilities and technology including challenges and opportunities
• Adaptation by humans and our machines
Panellists:
• Emma Bennison, Executive Officer, Blind Citizens Australia
• Manisha Amin, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Inclusive Design
• Alastair McEwin, Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission

Panel 4 - The Invisible Revolution: Utopia, dystopia and the many faces of tomorrow
[ 2:50-3:50pm ]
This session will examine the implications of emerging technology for Internet freedoms, democracy and free speech.
Topics will include:
• Free speech, social media, fake news and democracy
• Internet freedoms, net neutrality and encryption
• Internet governance and rights-based frameworks
Panellists:
• Dr. Tobias Feakin, Australian Ambassador for Cyber Affairs
• Michelle Guthrie, Managing Director, ABC
• Professor Joseph Cannataci, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy, United Nations

Closing keynotes – How do we rise to the challenges? How do we embrace the opportunities?
[ 4:10-4:40pm ]
Speakers:
• Steve Crown, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Human Rights, Microsoft
• Aza Raskin, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Center for Humane Technology

Final remarks
[ 4:40-5:00pm ]
• Rosalind Croucher, President, Australian Human Rights Commission
• Edward Santow, Human Rights Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission