Council of Europe Launches World's First International AI Treaty, Open for Signature
The Council of Europe AI treaty, a global AI agreement, was signed on September 5, to create an international AI law framework to regulate AI systems’ development while endorsing innovation.
The AI treaty, which has been under discussion among 57 countries for several years, was adopted in May and is set to be signed on Thursday.
The Council of Europe AI treaty will address all risks linked to AI development, including privacy and security, while pushing global focus on responsible innovation. Signatory parties include European Union (EU) members, US, UK, the council of Europe human rights organization, Georgia, Iceland, Norway and other countries.
AI Convention
The Council of Europe AI Convention is recognized as the first legally binding international AI law framework, designed to work in conjunction with the EU law on technology, including the EU AI Act – the world’s first comprehensive AI regulation.
The EU AI treaty’s objective is to deliver a regulatory framework to guarantee that AI can be safely integrated into society all while applying human rights and legal principles.
“This Convention is a major step to ensuring that these new technologies can be harnessed without eroding our oldest values, like human rights and the rule of law,” Britain’s justice minister, Shabana Mahmood, said in a statement.
The Council of Europe treaty on AI is seen as a turning point for the creation of a regulatory international AI law framework, as “the Framework Convention is an open treaty with a potentially global reach. I hope that these will be the first of many signatures and that they will be followed quickly by ratifications, so that the treaty can enter into force as soon as possible,” said Council of Europe Secretary-General, Marija Pejčinović Burić, in a statement.
One of the treaty’s key provisions is the compensation for individuals affect by AI development, to restore the public’s trust in AI systems through the prioritization of human rights’ protection.
Francesca Fanucci, a legal expert at the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL), expressed it concerns to Reuters, that the Council of Europe AI treaty has been “watered down” into a broad set of principles.
Fanucci warned that these AI convention principles may be vague and laden with exceptions, weakening their legal certainty and enforcement.
AI Treaty’s Future Impact on AI Regulation
The Council of Europe AI convention is a turning point in the regulation of AI and intelligent technology. Despite all the challenges rising with the emergence of AI, the establishment of an international AI law framework that addresses the issues associated with AI systems such as privacy while promoting security innovation can only be seen as a step forward. Although the AI treaty does not cover national security matters directly, it requires adherence to internal law and democratic principles.
Many parties doubted the capabilities of the Ai convention, yet AI is developing in a fast pace and authorities should ensure that it is developing safely and securely for a better AI future ahead.
While some have questioned the Council of Europe AI treaty’s ability to manage the ever-growing nature of AI, the need for safe and secure development of AI is one thing the world collectively agrees on. It remains an essential issue in the mushrooming of AI’s capabilities. AI is advancing, and the authorities are setting in motion the needed plans and strategic moves for AI’s responsible and ethical use.
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