Promoting participation of persons with disabilities through inclusive, fair and accessible artificial intelligence

According to WHO, an estimated 1.3 billion people, about 16 % of the global population, currently experience significant disabilities. Beyond being a matter of human rights, it can also be economically beneficial to consider the needs of persons with disabilities in the development of AI. It can for example both empower persons with disabilities to fully utilize their potential in the workplace and help persons with disabilities who are currently outside the workforce to gain employment. 

The Nordic prime ministers have adopted a Vision 2030 to make the Nordic region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. In line with the Nordic Programme for Co-operation on Disability Issues 2023–2027, human rights and participation are unwavering principles in Nordic co-operation on disability issues and digitalization. A precondition for the positive development of the use of AI and harnessing its opportunities for persons with disabilities is to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities and their rights in the development. 

In 2023, the Nordic Ministers for Health and Social Affairs adopted a declaration on digital solutions for persons with disabilities. The declaration stated that it is vital that everyone has access to digital solutions if the Nordic Region is to achieve the vision of being the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030.  In 2021 joint statement, the Nordic and Baltic ministers for digitalization emphasized this, as well as the importance of digital inclusion in the region's digital transformation. 

All Nordic and Baltic countries have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The obligations under the UNCRPD provide a human rights-based approach to promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in the context of AI development and use.  

In line with the UNCRPD, state parties are obligated to consult and actively involve persons with disabilities in decision-making processes concerning them.  Persons with disabilities must be ensured equal access, on an equal basis with others, to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems.  

When used right, AI can contribute to promote the rights of persons with disabilities to participate, including to live independently, as part of societies, access to information, communicate, study and work. AI can be used to improve the quality and efficiency of service delivery, and the content of the services, including disability services. 

Given the rapid development of AI, it is challenging to predict all the possibilities it holds. In the Nordic and Baltic countries, we aim to identify the opportunities AI offers for promoting the participation and rights of persons with disabilities in different areas of life, and to avoid discriminatory practice. As part of innovations and development of AI, we must ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are taken into account and promoted, leaving no one behind in the rapid development of AI and all digital solutions.  

AI´s impact on the rights of persons with disabilities can only be a success if accessibility is secured in all AI systems and processes. The principle of universal design should be the foundation. The risks of discrimination, including intersectional discrimination, must be acknowledged and addressed with appropriate measures. Taking into account the vulnerable situation of children and young persons with disabilities online is a priority. AI must be developed in a way that respects and reflects diversity. The protection of personal data should also be taken into account in the development and use of AI. It is important to assess human rights impacts both before making decisions and in monitoring the impacts of decisions. 

The availability of AI systems and their reasonable pricing should be promoted to maximize their availability and to benefit as many individuals as possible.  

Participation of persons with disabilities is not only an obligation under the UNCRPD but also a precondition for achieving sustainable decisions and solutions. The needs of different user groups must be taken into account in order to make the most of the development and utilization of AI. AI systems can be made more accessible by involving persons with disabilities in the development. Digital skills of persons with disabilities must be supported to guarantee that no one is left behind. 

We, as Nordic Ministers of Health and Social Issues and Nordic and Baltic Ministers of Digitalization, commit to promoting the rights and participation of persons with disabilities in discussions and decisions on artificial intelligence at the national, Nordic and Baltic levels.