Banking perspectives on social and human rights impacts of artificial intelligence
Banks are lending into the AI value chain faster than they are building the tools to assess it. This world café looks at how banks should engage their data centre and AI clients on human rights: what to ask, what to look out for, and where they have leverage. Four tables cover the value chain, from the minerals in the servers to the bank’s own use of AI, each hosted by a human rights, labour or technology expert.
Framing
This section provides context for the event to ensure all participants, regardless of prior knowledge, are equipped to engage with the discussion.
UNEP FI’s work on AI will provide the foundation for this workshop. The physical infrastructure of AI, including data centres, introduces significant human rights risks. While the financial sector increasingly recognizes environmental impacts, social considerations lag behind. This session facilitates a high-level dialogue between commercial banks, civil society, and technological experts. The objective is to establish a shared baseline of current client engagement practices. By understanding what different actors are currently doing, participants can identify systemic gaps and determine how collaborative efforts can standardize social risk assessments in technology financing.
