Major Nations Unite Over Groundbreaking Agreement on AI and Human Rights

At a Glance

The treaty is known as the “Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law.”
The AI Convention ensures AI activities are consistent with human rights.
Provisions include respecting human dignity, equality, and privacy.

Introduction of the AI Convention

A historic moment was achieved as the U.S., Britain, and the European Union signed the inaugural international AI safety treaty focusing on human rights. Named the “Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law,” this pioneering agreement aims to ensure that AI activities are consistent with core human rights principles throughout their lifecycle.

The treaty establishes comprehensive guidelines and oversight measures to protect human rights against possible violations by AI technologies. It is part of global efforts to manage AI risks, aligning with initiatives like Biden’s Executive Order on AI and the EU AI Act. The agreement represents a significant milestone in global AI governance, encouraging ethical practices and international cooperation in addressing AI issues globally.

This 1st international legally binding #AI treaty is an important step forward.

The #EURightsAgency looks forward to continuing its work with the @Coe on #AI and #FundamentalRights protection. https://t.co/k8Td5ovwnU

— EU Fundamental Rights ➡️ #HumanRights (@EURightsAgency) May 17, 2024

Key Provisions and Measures

The AI Convention mandates AI systems to comply with both international and domestic human rights laws. Article 4, for instance, requires compliance with international privacy laws, while Article 5 mandates measures to prevent AI from undermining democratic institutions. Signatory states must adopt numerous measures to comply with the convention.

“This convention is a major step to ensuring that these new technologies can be harnessed without eroding our oldest values, like human rights and the rule of law,” said UK Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood.

Beyond legal compliance, the treaty includes provisions respecting human dignity, equality, and privacy. For example, the treaty requires that individuals must be informed when interacting with AI systems and should be able to challenge AI decisions and lodge complaints with concerned authorities. Companies using AI must assess and disclose the impact of AI on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

The 🇪🇺 AI Act is a global first.

A unique legal framework for the development of AI you can trust.

And for the safety and fundamental rights of people and businesses.

A commitment we took in our political guidelines – and we delivered.

I welcome today's political agreement.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 8, 2023

Global Collaboration and Future Prospects

The process involved in drafting the AI Convention was extensive, involving 46 Council of Europe member states, the EU, and 11 non-member states including Australia, Japan, and the US. The treaty is celebrated as a landmark achievement for human rights and global AI governance, although key issues such as its broad principles, varied national interpretations, and vague compliance structures present challenges.

“We must ensure that the rise of AI upholds our standards, rather than undermining them. The Framework Convention is designed to ensure just that,” remarked Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić.

Chinese action or inaction on the treaty is also notable. While China is not a signatory, it has enacted its own AI measures and signed the Bletchley Declaration. As nations work to introduce safeguards against AI-generated misinformation and biased data, the treaty authorizes authorities to ban specific AI uses, akin to EU AI Act bans on facial recognition databases and social behavior categorization systems.