The second Webinar in the Data Ethics and Responsible Data Discussion Series is now available for you to view. You can watch the full recording below. The online event, hosted by the Association of African Universities, in collaboration with the University of Nottingham and the Ethical Data Initiative, dealt with the timely topic of Data Ethics and Human Rights in the Platform Economy.

The Ethical Data Discussion Series explores pressing ethical questions inherent in digital technology, data collection and data-driven research; highlighting the need for training digital practitioners in the ethics of data protection, use and re-use.

A panel of ICT law, human rights, international development and education policy experts discussed a wide range of questions through the lens of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, discussing what has already been done to identify and mitigate potential harms and what more can be done. Topics covered included the potential impact on AI and related technologies on human rights, and avoiding discrimination against vulnerable and marginalised groups in data use and collection.

Signed during the UN General Assembly in Paris, in 1948, the rights outlined in the Declaration are recognised in municipal and international law. The 30 Articles outline 30 internationally-accepted basic human rights, such as; the right to privacy, the right to democracy and the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

The digital revolution has transformed the way we live, solving many issues and leading to better decision making; it has also given rise to numerous questions and challenges which, of course, affect everyone. Africa certainly has not been left behind in this data revolution – which affects all of us, though perhaps not all in the same way – but we do all need to be aware of how our data is being used and stored, what our responsibilities are and how regional and international legislation affects us.

To this end, we have begun the Data Ethics in Data Science Education Campaign, to advocate for the inclusion of data ethics in all data science and research-based higher education courses, to train the next generation of data and research professionals about their legal and ethical responsibilities surrounding the use, reuse and sharing of data.

Contact us to find out more, including how you can get involved.