US, Britain, EU to Sign First International AI Treaty, Reports Reuters

The first legally binding international treaty focused on artificial intelligence (AI) will be available for signing on Thursday by the negotiating countries, which include members of the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom, according to the Council of Europe, an organization dedicated to human rights.

The AI Convention, which has been under development for several years, was adopted in May following discussions among 57 nations. It aims to address the potential risks associated with AI while encouraging responsible innovation.

“This Convention represents a significant step toward ensuring that new technologies can be utilized without compromising our foundational values, such as human rights and the rule of law,” stated Britain’s justice minister, Shabana Mahmood.

The primary focus of the AI Convention is the protection of human rights for individuals impacted by AI systems. It is distinct from the EU AI Act, which became effective last month and sets out extensive regulations regarding the development, deployment, and use of AI systems within the EU market.

Founded in 1949, the Council of Europe is an international organization separate from the EU, dedicated to safeguarding human rights and currently comprises 46 member countries, including all 27 EU member states.

An ad hoc committee began exploring the feasibility of an AI framework convention in 2019, leading to the establishment of a Committee on Artificial Intelligence in 2022, which was responsible for drafting and negotiating the treaty’s text.

Countries that sign the convention may either adopt or maintain legislative, administrative, or other measures to implement its provisions.

Francesca Fanucci, a legal expert from the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law, who contributed to the treaty’s drafting alongside various civil society organizations, remarked that the agreement had been “watered down” into a broad set of principles. She expressed concerns that the language of the convention is overly broad and contains numerous caveats, raising questions about legal certainty and enforceability.

Fanucci pointed out specific issues, including exemptions for AI systems used in national security and the limited scrutiny applied to private companies compared to the public sector. “This double standard is disappointing,” she noted.

The UK government emphasized its commitment to collaborating with regulators, devolved administrations, and local authorities to ensure proper implementation of the new requirements.

(Note: A correction was made to state that there are 46 member countries in the Council of Europe, not 47.)