The United States, Great Britain, and the European Union are ready to sign the first legally binding international treaty on artificial intelligence (AI), a crucial step in regulating the impact of this technology on society. During the Council of Europe's Justice Ministers conference in Vilnius, Lithuania, it was announced that this treaty, known as the AI Convention, focuses on protecting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law from the risks and advancements posed by AI.
A Regulatory Framework for AI's Future
The treaty, developed over years of negotiations, was adopted in May 2023 with the participation of 57 countries. It provides a legal framework that covers the entire life cycle of AI systems. The convention is technologically neutral, ensuring its long-term relevance, regardless of how AI evolves. The Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović, emphasized the importance of aligning AI's rise with established standards rather than undermining them.
The treaty allows signatory countries to adopt legislative or administrative measures to enforce its provisions. Additionally, an open invitation has been extended to all nations to join the agreement, highlighting the potential for the convention to become a global standard for AI regulation.
International Commitment to Human Rights
This treaty aims to manage AI risks to ensure that advanced technologies do not undermine fundamental values such as human rights and the rule of law. Shabana Mahmood, the UK Justice Minister, described the convention as a crucial step in safeguarding rights and values while allowing technology to advance.
The treaty will come into effect the first day of the month following a three-month period after five signatory countries, including at least three Council of Europe members, have ratified it. This signature opens the door to a global framework that seeks to balance AI innovation with security and ethics.
