On Friday, foreign ministers from 46 countries in the Council of Europe reached a landmark agreement on the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The general secretary of the Council, Marija Pejčinović, emphasized the importance of responsible AI use that upholds human rights, the rule of law, and democracy.
The convention outlines provisions for national laws to ensure transparency, oversight, and accountability in the use of AI systems. Signatories are also committed to preventing discrimination and privacy violations by AI systems. The EU played a significant role in drafting the treaty but is not alone in its efforts to regulate AI technology. Other countries outside Europe can also sign it.
While this convention differs from the upcoming European Union Law on Artificial Intelligence, which is a detailed regulation specific to EU member states, both share a common goal: promoting responsible AI use. It’s important to note that while all EU member states are part of the Council of Europe, this organization is separate from the European Union. However, global interest in responsible AI development continues to grow as reflected in the participation of 11 non-member countries during negotiations and agreement-making processes.
