280. Human Rights In AI-Operated Energy Systems

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in energy systems for electricity forecasting, smart-metering, automated billing, demand management, predictive maintenance, grid balancing and energy trading. AI-operated energy systems can improve efficiency and reliability, but they also raise important human-rights concerns. Automated decisions may affect privacy, equality, access to electricity, freedom of expression and procedural fairness. Human-rights principles therefore require AI-based energy governance to remain transparent, accountable, proportionate and subject to meaningful human oversight.

Right To Privacy And Data Protection

AI-operated energy systems depend heavily on data. Smart meters can collect detailed information about electricity consumption patterns, which may reveal household routines and other sensitive information. Uncontrolled collection, processing or sharing of such information can interfere with privacy.

In K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017), the Supreme Court recognised privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 and other constitutional