Artificial Intelligence law at Syria
Syria does not have a comprehensive national law specifically governing artificial intelligence (AI). However, recent developments indicate a growing engagement with AI governance frameworks:
International Engagement and AI Governance
In March 2024, Syria formally joined China's Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative, launched by President Xi Jinping at the Third Belt and Road Forum. This initiative aims to establish a global ethics system for collaborative AI research and development, emphasizing broad participation, respect for national AI governance practices, and the creation of ethical standards and accountability mechanisms .(The Syrian Observer - A News Website)
Domestic Legal Developments
Domestically, Syria has taken steps to address digital privacy. On March 28, 2024, President Bashar al-Assad issued Law No. 12, which aims to protect electronic personal data and privacy, effective from January 1, 2025 . While this law focuses on data protection, it may have implications for AI systems that process personal data.(DataGuidance)
AI in Conflict and Human Rights
The use of AI in Syria has raised concerns, particularly regarding its application in conflict zones. AI technologies have been utilized for surveillance and military purposes, potentially leading to human rights violations. For instance, AI tools have been employed to monitor and control populations during the Syrian conflict, raising ethical and legal questions .(genocideprevention.eu)
Despite these concerns, AI also holds potential for positive applications in Syria. In healthcare, AI has been used to predict airstrikes, thereby protecting health facilities and workers in conflict settings . Additionally, AI is being leveraged to analyze user-generated content for documenting human rights violations, which can aid in international justice processes .(BMJ Global Health, Equinox AI Lab)
Conclusion
While Syria has not established a national AI law, its participation in international AI governance initiatives and the enactment of data protection legislation reflect a growing awareness of the need for regulation in this domain. The evolving landscape suggests that Syria may continue to develop its legal framework to address the complexities of AI technologies.
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