The Summit on Advancing Human Rights in the Digital Age, whose kick-off event was held on Friday, brought together professionals, policy makers and technology experts.
The two-day summit, organized by the non-governmental organization (NGO) MAUK, a community of Montenegrin scholars educated in the United Kingdom (UK) through the Chiving scholarship, focuses on the critical relationship between technology, human rights and ethical innovation.
The representative of the NGO MAUK, Maša Miladinović, emphasized the vision of the summit, stating that it arose from the vision to create a platform for dialogue, cooperation and action.
"We are here not only to explore how technology affects our rights, but also to shape the future by promoting ethical practices, fair access and transparency in the digital age," Miladinović said.
As reported by the British embassy, she added that the talks that will be held over the course of two days are essential.
"When dealing with topics such as digital privacy, the ethics of artificial intelligence, freedom of expression on the Internet and access to technology, we must remember that these are not abstract concepts. They profoundly affect the way we live, work, communicate and even dream. "Montenegro, a country of rich heritage and innovation, provides the perfect framework for these discussions," said Miladinović.
Ivana Vujović from the NGO MAUK emphasized the transformative potential of technology.
"By improving access to data and using it, we can develop better services - services that protect children from the risk of abuse on the Internet, support victims of revenge pornography, improve mental health care, enable early cancer diagnosis and empower neurodivergent individuals," Vujović said.
According to her, digital technologies can transform education through gamification, personalized approaches and wider access to quality education.
"In addition, civil society, a key defender of human rights, remains insufficiently connected to technological progress, academia and the private sector. However, there is a huge potential for cooperation that can strengthen the efforts of all participants", said Vujović.
The British ambassador, Dawn McCann, referred to the UK's leadership in the field of technology and development of ethical artificial intelligence.
"The UK Government is actively involved in shaping a complex ethical framework for AI, seeking to ensure that these technologies are developed and deployed responsibly, with the public good at the very heart of that framework. "We are committed to AI promoting equity, reducing inequalities and contributing to the progress of society, rather than exacerbating existing problems," said McKen.
She also highlighted the practical applications of technology in improving human rights.
"This summit is an opportunity for all of us to consider how we can integrate technology in ways that advance human rights – for example, the role of AI in fighting poverty and inequality, how we can use it to increase civic engagement, or how HealthTech can advance mental health and improve access to health care. We need to explore how EdTech can innovate education, how cybersecurity can protect the most vulnerable, and how we can fight the misinformation that threatens the integrity of our democracies," McCann said.
She praised the Chivingin Scholarship Program, which has played a key role in the career paths of many summit organizers.
"At the heart of this summit is not only the exchange of ideas, but also the creation of lasting connections between professionals, policy makers and experts. This event is a fantastic example of how the Chiving community plays a key role in building these networks. The Chiving program, which has supported many of you here, is not just about gaining academic knowledge—it's about making connections that continue to bring tangible benefits to individuals and societies long after graduation,” said McCann.
The summit continues today with panels on the ethics of AI, digital privacy, access to technology and combating disinformation. Participants have the opportunity to network with UK experts.
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