TLDR: Humanists International has officially adopted ‘The Luxembourg Declaration on Artificial Intelligence and Human Values’ at its 2025 General Assembly. Drafted by Humanists UK, the declaration outlines ten ethical principles to ensure AI development and deployment align with human rights, democratic oversight, and the intrinsic dignity of individuals, urging global action to harness AI for human flourishing.
Luxembourg – On Sunday, July 6, 2025, representatives of the global humanist community convened at the 2025 General Assembly of Humanists International in Luxembourg, where they collectively resolved to pass ‘The Luxembourg Declaration on Artificial Intelligence and Human Values’. This landmark declaration, primarily drafted by Humanists UK with significant input from leading AI experts and various member organizations of Humanists International, establishes a comprehensive set of ten shared ethical principles intended to guide the development, deployment, and regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) systems worldwide.
The declaration emphatically calls for AI to be meticulously aligned with fundamental human rights, subjected to robust democratic oversight, and designed to uphold the intrinsic dignity of every individual. It issues an urgent plea for governments and international bodies to take decisive action, ensuring that AI serves as a powerful tool for human flourishing rather than a source of harm. Among the key experts who consulted on an early draft of the declaration were Humanists UK patrons Professor Kate Devlin and Dr. Emma Byrne. Professor Devlin, notably, serves as Humanists UK’s commissioner to the UK’s AI Faith & Civil Society Commission, underscoring the depth of expertise involved in its formulation.
Introducing the motion on the floor of the general assembly, Liam Whitton, Director of Communications and Development at Humanists UK, underscored the immediate reality of the AI revolution. He asserted that the era of artificial intelligence is not a distant future but is already upon us, emphasizing the critical responsibility that falls upon governments, international institutions, and civil society to define the core values against which AI models should be trained and the standards by which AI products and companies ought to be regulated.
Whitton highlighted the unique contribution humanists bring to this global discourse: ‘Uniquely, humanists bring to the global conversation a principled secular ethics grounded in evidence, compassion, and human dignity.’ He articulated that as governments and institutions grapple with the complex challenge of ‘AI alignment’ – the process of ensuring that artificial intelligence truly reflects and respects human values – humanists offer a hopeful vision. This vision is deeply rooted in a long tradition of thought concerning human happiness, moral progress, and the common good.
Also Read:
- BRICS Nations Champion Equitable Global AI Governance at Rio Summit
- Global Thinkers Converge at Nishan Forum to Chart AI’s Ethical Path for Humanity’s Shared Future
The declaration itself affirms the paramount importance of humanist values in navigating these new technological frontiers. It posits that ‘only by prioritising reason, compassion, dignity, freedom, and our shared humanity can human societies adequately navigate these emerging challenges.’ The document concludes with a powerful call to action, urging governments, corporations, civil society organizations, and individuals globally to adopt these principles through concrete policies, practical applications, and international agreements, thereby seizing the opportunity to renew their collective commitments to human rights, human dignity, and human flourishing, both now and in the future.
