About the seminar:
Emerging technologies are transforming societies at a pace rarely witnessed in human history. Artificial intelligence, big data analytics, digital platforms, facial recognition systems, and generative AI are reshaping how people learn, communicate, work, govern, and participate in public life. These developments offer remarkable opportunities to advance education, improve public services, support environmental sustainability, and enhance human well-being. Yet they also present profound challenges for the protection of human rights in an increasingly digital world.
While much of the current debate focuses on issues such as privacy, surveillance, misinformation, and discrimination, this presentation argues that the deeper challenge lies elsewhere. Emerging technologies are not only testing established human rights norms; they are testing the fundamental values upon which the human rights project itself is built. Human dignity, personal autonomy, equality, accountability, and trust are increasingly being shaped by technological systems that influence decisions, behaviour, knowledge, and social relations on an unprecedented scale.
Drawing on examples from Southeast Asia and beyond, this presentation explores how societies are navigating the complex relationship between technological innovation and human rights protection. It highlights both the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies and examines the growing need for ethical and governance frameworks that place human values at the centre of technological development. The presentation further reflects on the implications for human rights education. Ultimately, the future of human rights will depend not only on how societies govern technology, but also on how effectively they prepare citizens to ensure that technological progress remains guided by the values that make us human.
About the speaker:
Associate Professor Dr. Ratnaria Wahid holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons) from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), a Master of Laws from the Australian National University, and a PhD from the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom. She is also an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya and previously practised law and served as a Legal Advisor in Malaysia. Dr. Ratnaria further strengthened her expertise as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for Law, Technology and Society, University of Ottawa, Canada. She is currently an Associate Professor at the Department of International Affairs, School of International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia, where she teaches public international law, human rights, and international environmental law at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her work focuses on advancing human rights and responsible governance in the context of technological and societal change.
Practical information:
The seminar will be in English. Due to limited space, participants will have to register prior to the seminar.