Locknote: AI is Here to Guide Not Decide - Dr. Aleksandra Aytova

Artificial intelligence is often presented as the defining technology of our time. Yet the questions it raises are not new. At their core, they are questions about power, fairness, accountability, dignity, and the protection of fundamental human rights. For centuries, societies have fought to establish and defend rights that many of us now take for granted: equality, education, privacy, freedom of expression, participation in public life, and protection from discrimination. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in our lives, we are faced with a new challenge: ensuring that technological progress strengthens these rights rather than weakens them. This keynote explores how technological innovation and human rights can evolve together. Drawing on practical experiences and emerging challenges, including AI-assisted decision-making, human oversight, wearable technologies, digital infrastructure, and the future of accountability, it examines how we can ensure that innovation remains aligned with the values we have spent generations building and protecting. The future of AI is not only a technical challenge. It is a human one. Meeting that challenge requires collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and societies. It is a collective journey. As we build increasingly powerful technologies, we must not lose sight of the reason we build them in the first place: to improve human lives. The views and opinions expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, or employer.