The Council of Europe’s Human Rights Organization announced on Thursday, September 6, that the first binding international treaty on artificial intelligence will be ready for signature by countries that have negotiated it, including EU members, the United States, and the United Kingdom. According to Reuters, the AI convention, which has been under review since 2019 and was approved this past May after discussions among 57 countries, addresses potential risks of AI while promoting responsible innovation. Shabana Mahmood, the UK Justice Minister, stated that 'this convention is a significant step to ensure that new technologies can be harnessed without undermining our most enduring values, including human rights and the rule of law.' The AI convention primarily focuses on protecting the human rights of individuals affected by AI systems and is separate from the EU AI Act, which came into effect last month. Francesca Fanucci, a legal expert at the European Center for Nonprofit Law, who participated in the treaty drafting process alongside other civil society groups, told Reuters that 'the drafting of principles and obligations in this convention is so broad and filled with warnings that it seriously questions the legal certainty and effective enforceability of the laws.'
The US, UK, and EU Sign First International AI Treaty
The US, UK, and EU have finalized the first binding international treaty on artificial intelligence, aimed at addressing the risks of AI while promoting responsible innovation. This treaty, separate from the EU's AI Act, focuses on human rights protections for individuals impacted by AI systems. Its significance lies in establishing a legal framework for AI governance amid growing concerns about technology's impact on society.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The US, UK, and EU have finalized the first binding international treaty on artificial intelligence, aimed at addressing the risks of AI while promoting responsible innovation. This treaty focuses on human rights protections for individuals impacted by AI systems.
- The treaty has been under review since 2019 and was approved in May 2023.
- It is separate from the EU AI Act, which came into effect last month.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
As AI technology rapidly evolves, there is increasing concern about its ethical implications and potential risks, prompting countries to seek collaborative governance frameworks.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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