The first internationally binding treaty on artificial intelligence (AI) will be signed by several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and members of the European Union, on Thursday.
The treaty, known as the AI Convention, was finalised after extensive negotiations involving 57 countries and was adopted in May. Its goal is to address the potential risks of AI while promoting responsible innovation.
The treaty focuses on safeguarding human rights and ensuring that AI technologies adhere to fundamental values such as the rule of law. UK Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood states, “This Convention is a significant step in ensuring that these new technologies can be utilized without undermining our foundational values like human rights and the rule of law.”
In contrast to the EU’s recently enacted AI Act, the AI Convention emphasises the protection of human rights for individuals impacted by AI systems. The EU’s AI Act governs the use of AI systems within the European internal market, while the AI Convention has a broader scope involving a wider array of countries beyond the EU.
The treaty is the outcome of an initiative by the Council of Europe, an international organisation dedicated to safeguarding human rights. It differs from the EU, with 47 member countries, including all 27 EU member states.
The Council began examining the feasibility of a legal AI framework in 2019, and a specialized Committee on Artificial Intelligence drafted the treaty in 2022.
The signatories are urged to implement the provisions of the treaty through legislative or administrative measures, with countries like the UK committing to collaborate with local authorities and regulators to ensure proper enforcement.
This treaty represents a significant global stride toward regulating AI technologies and striking a balance between innovation and human rights protection.