The Double Edge of AI: Empowering the Vulnerable or Reinforcing Inequality?

When I was a high school student, injustice was not an abstract word from a textbook—it was my lived experience. I faced sexual harassment on the road and on crowded public buses, moments that left scars on my confidence and my sense of safety. Those experiences were not just about individual acts of cruelty; they reflected systemic failures where young women like me often suffered in silence. At that time, I had no tools to recognize these injustices fully, no supportive system to validate my trauma, and no technological resources to amplify my voice. I often wondered: if I had grown up in today’s era of technological development, would things have been different? Could technology have helped me recognize injustice, document my experiences, and even support my psychological healing as a victim? These questions are not just personal—they are deeply tied to the broader role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in social justice and human rights today.

At this moment I think, AI is not merely a technological advancement; it is becoming a powerful ally in the fight for dignity and equality. For someone like me who has experienced injustice firsthand, the possibilities AI offers feel especially meaningful. Imagine AI-driven reporting tools that allow victims of harassment to document incidents safely and anonymously, ensuring that their voices are heard without fear of retaliation. Imagine mental health chatbots that provide accessible psychological support to victims of gender-based violence, helping them process trauma when human counselors are out of reach. These are not distant dreams—they are real applications of AI that are already being developed, and they show how technology can become a bridge between vulnerability and empowerment.

The protective role of AI extends far beyond individual experiences. Around the world, AI systems are helping safeguard fundamental freedoms, from detecting online hate speech to defending privacy through advanced cybersecurity tools. For marginalized communities whose voices are often suppressed, AI-enabled translation and accessibility tools break down barriers, ensuring they can participate in global conversations. Just as I once felt silenced, countless people still face barriers that prevent them from expressing themselves. AI, when designed inclusively, gives them back their voice.

Equally important is AI’s ability to expose injustice that might otherwise remain invisible. Human rights organizations now use machine learning and satellite imagery to uncover war crimes, mass atrocities, and illegal detentions. These technologies validate the testimonies of survivors who are too often dismissed or disbelieved. In a world where denial and cover-ups are common, AI acts as an impartial witness, documenting truths that might otherwise disappear into silence. For a victim of harassment like me, this global capacity to reveal injustice resonates deeply: it suggests a future where no violation, however small or large, has to remain unseen.

AI is also opening doors to fairness by making critical services more accessible. Legal aid chatbots are offering free guidance to people who cannot afford lawyers, giving them a chance to seek justice. In refugee camps and disaster zones, humanitarian agencies rely on AI to distribute food, water, and medicine more efficiently, ensuring resources reach those most in need. In education, AI-powered platforms are helping disadvantaged students keep pace with their peers, while in healthcare, AI diagnostic tools assist doctors in underserved areas. These efforts all point toward one truth: technology, if used responsibly, can reduce inequality and level the playing field.

But AI is not free from danger. Just as it can empower, it can also oppress. Surveillance technologies, particularly facial recognition, are being misused by authoritarian regimes to monitor and silence dissent. Algorithmic bias, when left unchecked, reinforces social inequalities, discriminating against people of color, women, and marginalized groups. And the digital divide threatens to create two worlds: one that benefits from AI’s progress, and another that is left behind. For someone who has lived through injustice, this duality is concerning—it reminds me that every tool can be weaponized if not guided by ethics.

This is why the future of AI and human rights depends on the principles we choose to uphold. Transparency, accountability, and inclusivity must guide every step of AI’s development. Algorithms should not be black boxes but open to scrutiny, so their decisions can be challenged. Training data must reflect diversity, so bias does not perpetuate discrimination. And international cooperation must ensure that AI serves humanity as a whole, rather than becoming the privilege of a few powerful actors. Above all, AI must remain human-centered, designed not to control people but to empower them.

Reflecting on my own past, I often think about how different my experiences could have been if AI-driven tools for reporting harassment, accessing mental health support, or amplifying young women’s voices had existed then. Perhaps I would have felt less alone, less silenced, and more supported. That hope is what fuels my belief in AI’s potential for justice. My story is just one among millions, but together, our stories show why AI must be developed not just for efficiency or profit but for dignity, equality, and rights.

AI is, ultimately, a mirror of our choices. It can be used to protect freedoms, reveal truths, and empower the vulnerable, or it can be twisted into a system of control, bias, and inequality. The responsibility lies with us—governments, innovators, institutions, and citizens alike—to decide which path we take. If we act with courage, compassion, and accountability, AI can become a transformative tool for social justice and human rights. But if we fail, it risks becoming yet another instrument of oppression. The choice is urgent, the stakes are high, and the future is still in our hands.

---

The Writer's Profile

Afsana Mimi

Jahangirnagar University