On Thursday, countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and members of the European Union will sign the first legally binding international treaty on artificial intelligence (AI). The treaty, known as the AI Convention, was finalised after years of negotiations involving 57 countries and was adopted in May. It aims to address the risks posed by AI while encouraging responsible innovation.
The treaty primarily focuses on protecting human rights and ensuring that AI technologies align with long-standing values like the rule of law. As UK Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood stated, “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.”
Separate from the European Union’s recently implemented AI Act, the AI Convention emphasises the protection of human rights of people affected by AI systems.The EU’s AI Act regulates the use of AI systems within the European internal market, whereas the AI Convention has a broader focus, involving a wider range of countries beyond the EU.
The treaty is the result of a process initiated by the Council of Europe, an international organisation dedicated to safeguarding human rights. It is distinct from the EU with 47 countries as members, including all the 27 EU member states.
The Council began exploring the feasibility of a legal AI framework in 2019, and a specialised Committee on Artificial Intelligence drafted the treaty in 2022.
The signatories are encouraged to implement the treaty’s provisions through legislative or administrative measures, with countries like the UK committing to collaborate with local authorities and regulators to ensure proper enforcement. This treaty marks a significant global step toward regulating AI technologies and balancing innovation with human rights protection.
Melissa Enoch
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