By Salisu K Ismail

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has joined 163 organizations and 29 individuals globally to called on the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and EU Member States to ensure that the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) protects the rights of all people including migrants.

This was contained in a draft that was jointly signed by CITAD, 163 organizations and 29 individuals globally and was made available to Newsmen by the Centre’s Executive Director, Engineer Yunusa Zakari Ya’u in Kano.

The release explained that the EU AI Act which was recently amended does not adequately address and prevent the harms stemming from the use of AI in the migration context.

Adding that, “states and institutions are focused on promoting AI in terms of benefits for wider society, marginalised communities and people on the move particularly migrants, asylum seekers and refugees”

“But, the states and institutions have failed to understand that, the AI technologies fit into wider systems of over-surveillance, criminalisation, structural discrimination and violence” the release added.

The release unbundled to newsmen the recommendations put forward to the EU by the 163 organizations and 29 individuals following amendments of the AI Act;

“Prohibit unacceptable uses of AI system in the context of migration” 

“Also to ensure that, all AI systems used in migration are regulated to include ‘high-risk’ of (Biometric identification systems, AI system for border monitoring & surveillance, Predictive analytic systems used for people on the move)

“Ensuring the AI Act applied to all high-risk systems in migration, including those in use as part of EU IT systems”

“And to ensure that transparency and oversight measures apply” 

The release also stressed that, the EU AI act must be amended to prevent harm from AI systems used in migration and border control, guaranteeing public transparency and empowering people and groups to understand, seek explanations, complain and achieve remedies when AI systems violate their rights.