Despite gaining prominence, the fairness, accountability, transparency and ethics framework in artificial intelligence (AI) governance poses significant limitations. It is inadequately defined to meet the complexities of a pluralistic work, lacks consensus on normative values underpinning it, is prone to misuse and misrepresentation, and inadvertently promotes ethics washing. The International Bill of Human Rights, while not devoid of criticism and implementation challenges, provides a universal foundation for building consensus around value archetypes within and between societies. Canada can play a critical leadership role in international AI governance through the Global Digital Compact, as well as its membership in the Group of 20 and its presidency in the Group of Seven, by establishing human rights frameworks as a governance norm for AI systems.
