In a significant development in international regulation, the Council of Europe has opened the first-ever legally binding global treaty on artificial intelligence (AI) for signature. The Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law (CETS No. 225) was unveiled during a Council of Europe Ministers of Justice conference held in Vilnius.
Historic moment! The #CoE opens the first-ever legally binding global treaty on #AI and human rights.
Signed by EU 🇦🇩 🇬🇪 🇮🇸 🇳🇴🇲🇩🇸🇲 🇬🇧 🇮🇱 🇺🇸, this Framework Convention ensures AI aligns with our values.
The new treaty represents a landmark achievement in global AI governance, aiming to align AI system usage with fundamental human rights, democratic principles, and the rule of law. The initial signatories include Andorra, Georgia, Iceland, Norway, the Republic of Moldova, San Marino, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United States, and the European Union. The Convention was adopted on 17 May 2024 by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, following extensive negotiations involving 46 member states and 11 non-member states.
Council of Europe Secretary GeneralMarija Pejčinović Burić highlighted the treaty’s importance, stating, “We must ensure that the rise of AI upholds our standards, rather than undermining them.” She emphasised that the Framework Convention is designed to offer a robust and balanced legal framework that promotes both innovation and accountability.
Treaty Provisions and Global Impact
The treaty encompasses the entire lifecycle of AI systems, from development to deployment. It aims to foster AI advancements while managing associated risks, ensuring that these technologies uphold human rights and democratic values. Unlike other regulations, the Convention is technology-neutral, which helps it remain relevant across various AI innovations.
The treaty’s provisions require signatories to ensure that AI outputs respect equality and privacy rights. It also mandates legal recourse for victims of AI-related rights violations. Despite being described as “legally enforceable,” the treaty’s enforcement relies on monitoring rather than sanctions, which has drawn some criticism.
Peter Kyle, the UK’s Minister for Science, Innovation, and Technology, remarked on the treaty’s global significance, stating, “With innovation that is as fast-moving as AI, it is really important that we get to this first step globally.” He further noted that the agreement represents a unified international approach to AI regulation, surpassing fragmented national efforts.
Criticisms and Future Prospects
While the treaty marks a notable achievement, it has faced criticism for its broad principles and potential lack of enforceability. Francesca Fanucci, a legal expert involved in the drafting process, raised concerns about the Convention’s effectiveness, pointing to exemptions for national security uses and uneven scrutiny of private versus public sector AI applications.
Today, the @EU_Commission signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence.
This first legally binding international agreement on #AI, fully compatible with the 🇪🇺 #AIAct, provides for trustworthy & safe AI systems, while enabling innovation & trust.
Nonetheless, the treaty’s adoption signals a progressive step towards a more cohesive global framework for AI regulation. The agreement will come into force once five signatories, including at least three Council of Europe member states, have ratified it.
Conclusion
The Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on AI stands as a pioneering effort to integrate human rights and democratic values into global AI governance. As nations continue to navigate the complex landscape of AI regulation, this treaty represents a critical step towards ensuring that technological advancements align with fundamental ethical principles.
