The Council of Europe has achieved a historic milestone with the signing of the first binding international treaty on artificial intelligence (AI), known as the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence. This agreement, which aims to ensure that the use of AI systems is in line with the principles of “human rights, democracy, and the rule of law,” has been endorsed by a number of countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
The treaty, crafted by the Council of Europe, sets out fundamental principles that signatories must adhere to. These include protecting personal data against misuse and discrimination, ensuring privacy, and safeguarding democracy and the rule of law. It is a legal framework that encompasses the “life cycle of AI systems” and aims to fill legal gaps and manage risks associated with rapid technological advancements while promoting progress in the field of AI.
Three months after signing, governments will be required to introduce safeguard measures and “adopt or maintain legislative, administrative, or other measures” that reflect the established framework. This convention represents a “major step towards ensuring that new technologies can be harnessed without undermining human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.”
Despite the support from countries hosting some of the world’s leading AI companies, such as the US, UK, and EU, along with Andorra, Georgia, Iceland, Norway, the Republic of Moldova, San Marino, and Israel, some nations focused on AI, especially in Asia, the Middle East, and Russia, have not yet signed the treaty.
The treaty is considered a significant advancement in global regulation of artificial intelligence, highlighting the need for a balance between technological innovation and the protection of fundamental societal values. The international community now awaits the effective implementation of the treaty’s provisions and its influence on the future development of AI globally.