In a decisive step towards regulating artificial intelligence (AI), a group of countries, including the U.S., the U.K., and the European Union, have signed the Council of Europe (COE) Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law.
This treaty, hailed as the first legally binding international agreement on AI, aims to ensure that AI systems operate in alignment with human rights, democratic principles, and the rule of law.
At a meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, the treaty was formally opened for signatures. Alongside the major global markets, signatories include nations such as Iceland, Israel, Norway, and Georgia. Notably absent from the treaty are countries from Asia, the Middle East, and Russia.
The treaty focuses on three critical areas: safeguarding human rights, protecting democracy, and enforcing the rule of law. It requires signatory nations to establish regulators that will address potential risks posed by AI systems, including data misuse, privacy violations, and discrimination.
While the treaty is seen as a framework for promoting AI innovation, it remains neutral in terms of technology, providing guidelines for managing AI risks throughout its entire lifecycle.
The COE, known for its work in upholding human rights and legal systems in Europe, emphasized that this agreement will shape AI regulation for years to come.
