UNDP and Uzbek Ombudsman Train Human Rights Defenders on AI
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uzbekistan and the Office of the Ombudsman hosted a two-day training workshop focused on the responsible and effective application of artificial intelligence in human rights protection, UNDP in Uzbekistan announced.
The training took place on 24–25 August 2026, bringing together representatives from human rights institutions, civil society organizations, and digital governance experts.
The program centered on operational opportunities for integrating AI technologies into the daily activities of the Ombudsman's Office, while outlining legal and ethical constraints required during adoption. Participants reviewed AI fundamentals, responsible use principles, effective prompt engineering, and international human rights standards.
A dedicated section of the curriculum covered Human Rights Impact Assessments (HRIA) for artificial intelligence. Through practical case studies, attendees examined the potential impacts of AI deployments on various demographic groups, including the risk of disproportionate effects on vulnerable populations, necessary safeguards, and appeal mechanisms for AI-assisted decisions.
Ainura Bekkoenova, Policy Specialist on Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights at the UNDP Regional Hub for Europe and Central Asia, noted that artificial intelligence presents significant opportunities to render human rights protection more effective, accessible, and responsive, while emphasizing that implementation requires robust safeguards against discrimination, privacy breaches, and lack of accountability.
Practical sessions addressed direct applications of AI tools within human rights institutions, including processing and categorizing citizen appeals, detecting systemic trends, summarizing case details, and drafting responses.
Alongside the benefits, participants evaluated risk factors associated with digital tools, including data privacy and security, institutional readiness, ethical boundaries, and liability in state and human rights processes.
The workshop also explored using AI tools to enhance inclusive communication, public legal awareness, and outreach targeted at specific groups, such as women, youth, persons with disabilities, and rural communities.
Broader digital transformation topics in Uzbekistan were also examined, with representatives from UNDP, the Ombudsman's Office, civil society, and expert groups discussing collaboration opportunities, data security protocols, and institutional prerequisites for responsible AI deployment.
The program concluded with an interactive workshop where participants outlined practical steps for AI integration within their respective organizations, including drafting ethical guidelines, establishing safety measures, and identifying potential pilot projects.
