The European Council says its Framework is to ensure “the use of AI systems is fully consistent with human rights, democracy and the rule of law”
The European Union (EU), UK and US are some of the signatories of the world’s first treaty on AI safeguards. The Council of Europe describes its Framework Convention on artificial intelligence and human rights, democracy, and the rule of law as “the first-ever international legally binding treaty aimed at ensuring that the use of AI systems is fully consistent with human rights, democracy and the rule of law.”
The treaty was offered for signature on 5 September at a conference of the Council of Europe Ministers of Justice in Vilnius, Lithuania. It was signed by Andorra, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Norway, the Republic of Moldova and San Marino, as well as the EU, UK and US.
Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, stated, “We must ensure that the rise of AI upholds our standards, rather than undermining them. The Framework Convention is designed to ensure just that. It is a strong and balanced text – the result of the open and inclusive approach by which it was drafted and which ensured that it benefits from multiple and expert perspectives.
“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.”
The Council also said that the treaty “provides a legal framework covering the entire lifecycle of AI systems. It promotes AI progress and innovation, while managing the risks it may pose to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. To stand the test of time, it is technology neutral.”
The Framework Convention was adopted by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on 17 May 2024. The 46 Council of Europe member states, the European Union and 11 non-member states (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, the Holy See, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Peru, the US and Uruguay) negotiated the treaty. Representatives of the private sector, civil society and academia contributed as observers.
The treaty will enter into force “on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date on which five signatories, including at least three Council of Europe member states, have ratified it. Countries from all over the world will be eligible to join it and commit to complying with its provisions”.