The Council of Europe has adopted the first legally binding international treaty aimed at regulating artificial intelligence. This agreement, which was developed over two years by a committee consisting of members from 46 European states and 11 other countries, brings together 27 EU member states and is open to non-European countries.
The Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence establishes a legal framework that applies to the entire life cycle of artificial intelligence systems, with a focus on the risks posed by AI and promoting responsible innovation. Signatory states are obligated to implement measures to identify, evaluate, prevent, and mitigate possible risks of AI in both the public and private sectors, especially when technology may present risks incompatible with human rights standards.
In addition to risk management, the treaty emphasizes the importance of ensuring that AI systems respect equality, prevent discrimination, protect privacy, and are not used to attack democratic institutions and processes. The regulatory agreement will have a monitoring mechanism to ensure effective implementation.
The treaty aims to establish guidelines for ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence while minimizing risks and protecting fundamental rights. It represents a significant step towards regulating the fast-evolving field of artificial intelligence.
