Banking perspectives on social and human rights impacts of artificial intelligence
Commercial banks are increasingly active in financing the AI value chain. This workshop provides a space for financial practitioners and human rights experts to build a shared understanding of how banks engage clients on digital infrastructure. Participants will map current industry practices and identify cross-sector collaboration to address human rights risks and opportunities within the artificial intelligence value chain.
Framing this topic
This short 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.