Has AI and big tech opted out of human rights?

The Australian Human Rights Institute’s Provocation Series returns in 2026 with ABC News National Technology Reporter Ange Lavoipierre, ACMA Chief AI Officer Samantha Yorke, and UNSW Scientia Professor of AI Toby Walsh joining Director of the Australian Human Rights Institute, Professor Justine Nolan, to debate the future of human rights in the age of AI. 

The advance of AI systems presents growing challenges at the intersection of law, politics and rights. This discussion will explore how we can protect ourselves from technology that can easily manipulate public discourse, increase digital surveillance, impact our environment and reinforce inequalities and discrimination. It will also seek to address whether we are underutilising AI tools that could improve access to justice and provide insights to understand and advocate for human rights and democracy.