On Wednesday, experts and stakeholders from the Chinese mainland and the EU gathered in Madrid for the 2025 China-EU Human Rights Seminar, diving into how digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping our rights and freedoms.
Under the banner “Human Rights in the Context of the Digital-Intelligent Era”, panels ranged from data privacy to algorithmic fairness, bringing together scholars, government officials, industry representatives and activists for lively debates and case studies.
Speakers highlighted the digital era as a double-edged sword: AI can expand access to information and services, yet unchecked algorithms risk deepening biases and infringing privacy. Discussions stressed the need for transparency, inclusive design and robust oversight frameworks.
Culminating the event was a consensus document outlining shared principles: protecting user data, promoting algorithmic transparency, safeguarding online freedoms and ensuring AI-driven tools serve people, not replace them. This milestone marks a fresh chapter in China-EU dialogue on tech and rights.
For global citizens and tech enthusiasts alike, the seminar signals growing momentum to bridge policy, innovation and human values. As AI continues to weave into daily life from smart cities to digital workplaces, this China-EU pact sets a blueprint for safeguarding rights in the digital-intelligent age.
What do you think about AI’s role in protecting—or threatening—our rights? Share your perspectives and join the conversation on how we can shape a fairer digital future.
Reference(s):
China-EU seminar highlights human rights protection in digital era
cgtn.com
