The Role of AI in Citizen Journalism, Human Rights Activism, and Monitoring: Limits and Possibilities

Citizen journalism and user-generated content play a pivotal role in empowering journalists and human rights defenders by providing access to otherwise inaccessible information. These sources are invaluable for reporting human rights violations and serving as evidence in legal proceedings and other human rights-related initiatives. However, the advent of disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) is shifting the landscape where this work occurs. This chapter delves into the transformative potential and associated limitations of AI for human rights defence work, drawing insights from interviews with leading international organizations dedicated to human rights and social and environmental justice. We showcase risks and best practices to mitigate potential negative impacts, particularly those related to disinformation and misinformation.