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Human rights and the fourth industrial revolution in South Africa

Human rights and the fourth industrial revolution in South Africa

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is having a major impact on all aspects of life, both in South Africa and globally. The chief technological developments associated with the 4IR offer much promise for human development and improvements in quality of life. Yet, as this book explores, these technologies are a double-edged sword, bringing both benefits and drawbacks, particularly in relation to the realisation and enjoyment of fundamental human rights and freedoms. This book constitutes the first major investigation of the real and potential human rights implications of the 4IR in South Africa, following the work of the South African Human Rights Commission in this area. Addressing issues such as unemployment, poverty, development and local government in the 4IR; bias, discrimination and the digital divide; internet rights and responsibilities; privacy and cybersecurity; and predictive policing, surveillance and digital justice, this book offers an in-depth review of the current and emerging regulatory frameworks relating to human rights and 4IR-related technologies in South Africa. With contributions from social scientists, ethicists and human rights experts, and a Foreword from the SAHRC CEO, Advocate Tseliso Thipanyane,this book will be of wide interest to policy-makers, academics and the public interested concerned with the future of South African constitutionalism.

HSRC Press

Product Information

Format: 

240mm x 168mm (Soft Cover)

Pages: 

128

ISBN-13: 

978-0-7969-2609-8

Publish Year: 

February 2021

Rights: 

World Rights
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is having a major impact on all aspects of life, both in South Africa and globally. The chief technological developments associated with the 4IR offer much promise for human development and improvements in quality of life. Yet, as this book explores, these technologies are a double-edged sword, bringing both benefits and drawbacks, particularly in relation to the realisation and enjoyment of fundamental human rights and freedoms. This book constitutes the first major investigation of the real and potential human rights implications of the 4IR in South Africa, following the work of the South African Human Rights Commission in this area. Addressing issues such as unemployment, poverty, development and local government in the 4IR; bias, discrimination and the digital divide; internet rights and responsibilities; privacy and cybersecurity; and predictive policing, surveillance and digital justice, this book offers an in-depth review of the current and emerging regulatory frameworks relating to human rights and 4IR-related technologies in South Africa. With contributions from social scientists, ethicists and human rights experts, and a Foreword from the SAHRC CEO, Advocate Tseliso Thipanyane,this book will be of wide interest to policy-makers, academics and the public interested concerned with the future of South African constitutionalism.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CASE STUDIES

FIGURES

ACRONYMS

KEY TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Foreword by CEO of the SAHRC, Adv Tseliso

Thipanyane

Introduction

Chapter 1: The 4IR in South Africa:

Development, Unemployment and Inequality

Chapter 2: Data Governance: Privacy and

Cybersecurity

Chapter 3: Predictive Policing, Surveillance

and Digital Justice

Chapter 4: Bias, Discrimination and the Digital

Divide

Chapter 5: Internet Rights and Responsibilities

Chapter 6: Socio-Economic Rights, Local

Government and Service Delivery

Chapter 7: The Way Forward: The Role of the

South African Human Rights Commission

Conclusion

Dr Rachel Adams is a Senior Research Specialist of the Impact Centre at the Human Sciences Research Council. Dr Adams holds degrees in English Literature and Philosophy (BA, Royal Holloway, University of London), Human Rights Law (MPhil, UCT) and Jurisprudence (Ph.D, UCT). Dr Adams previously held the position of Senior Researcher Civil and Political Rights at the South African Human Rights Commission, and completed post-doctoral studies at the Information Law and Policy Centre, Institute for Advanced Legal Studies, University of London.

Her work sits at the intersection of law, ethics,gender and technology. Dr Adams is an Editor for the South African Journal on Human Rights. Gary Pienaar is a Research Manager in the Developmental, Capable and Ethical State research programme at the Human Sciences Research Council.

Accompanying editors include Michael Gastrow, Nokuthula Olorunju, Mark Gaffley, Yuri Ramkissoon, Shanelle Van Der Berg, Fadlah Adams, and Tseliso Thipanyane.