The world’s first international, legally binding convention aimed at mitigating the risks of AI is gaining momentum, with several countries signing up. The Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, crafted by the Council of Europe, ensures AI activities align with human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Simultaneously, it promotes technological progress and innovation.
State signatories must document and share AI system details and provide recourse to those adversely affected. They also need to conduct risk and impact assessments on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. These assessments will form the basis for prevention and mitigation strategies. Moreover, the treaty allows authorities to impose bans or moratoria on specific AI system applications.
The treaty does not aim to replace existing AI sector regulations such as the Bletchley Declaration or the EU’s AI Act. Instead, it offers additional legal support for these initiatives. Contributions from 68 international representatives, including civil society, academia, and industry, as well as other international organizations, helped shape the convention.
Council of Europe secretary general Marija Pejčinović Burić emphasized, “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 US, UK, and EU, along with Andorra, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Norway, the Republic of Moldova, and San Marino, are among the initial signatories. Nations worldwide are invited to join and comply with the Convention’s provisions. The AI Convention will become effective three months after at least five signatories, including three Council of Europe member states, ratify it.
Marija Pejčinović Burić added, “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.”
A year ago, the AI hype seemed unstoppable, making a global, legally binding AI treaty appear tardy. However, that momentum appears to be slowing. Questions around AI’s current usefulness and whether it can justify the massive investments in its infrastructure and development are now frequent. Proponents have so far offered only vague promises of AI revolutionizing various sectors.
