The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom were set to sign the first legally binding international artificial intelligence treaty on Thursday that prioritizes human rights and democracy in regulating both public and private AI systems.
The new framework agreed by the Council of Europe binds signatories to collaborative efforts in overseeing AI technologies and safeguarding citizens from their possible abuse.
Distinct from the recently enacted EU AI Act, the AI Convention primarily emphasizes safeguarding the human rights of individuals impacted by artificial intelligence systems, reported Reuters.
The AI Convention, developed through extensive negotiations among 57 nations over several years and officially adopted in May, aims to address the potential risks associated with AI technologies, while simultaneously promoting responsible innovation across various sectors and applications.
In contrast, the EU's AI Act encompasses wide-ranging rules governing the creation, implementation, and application of AI technologies across the EU's internal marketplace.
Established in 1949, the Council of Europe is a separate entity from the EU, dedicated to protecting human rights, and comprises 47 member nations, encompassing all 27 EU countries. Although the UK left the EU in 2020, it remains a member of the council, while Australia, the US and Israel are among countries outside the EU invited to sign the AI treaty.
Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric said: "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."
Pejcinovic Buric said the 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," she added.
In a news release, the UK government noted that while artificial intelligence promises advantages, such as enhancing productivity and improving cancer diagnosis, this newly established convention incorporates crucial protections against potential drawbacks, including the proliferation of false information and the use of prejudiced data that could lead to biased decision-making.
"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," stated UK Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood.
