US, UK and EU sign Council of Europe’s International AI treaty

Sept. 6, 2024, 3:04 a.m.

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In a significant development regarding the use of artificial intelligence systems, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and others signed the Council of Europe’s International AI treaty on Thursday in Lithuania. The Council of Europe, a France-based human rights organization, said the agreement was the first international legally binding treaty on the use of AI systems.

Israel, Georgia, Norway, Iceland, Andorra, Moldova, and San Marino also ratified the treaty. Some other participants in the treaty negotiations included Japan, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Costa Rica, and the Vatican.

Advertisement The Council of Europe, a 47-member organization including the 27 EU countries, initially adopted this International AI treaty in May 2023. Developed against the backdrop of rapidly evolving AI technology and growing concerns about their misuse, such as deep-fakes, the treaty establishes a legal framework to govern the entire lifecycle of AI systems and address the risks they may present while encouraging responsible innovation.

The Council of Europe’s treaty is distinct from the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act that took effect earlier this month. The CoE treaty is open to even non-European members, and it governs the use of AI systems for both public and private entities, with different methods for adhering to its principles and responsibilities when regulating the private sector. The EU legislation regulates the use of AI in high-risk industries.

“The Framework Convention is an open treaty with the potential to have a global impact. I hope that these will be the initial signatures and that they will be followed promptly by ratifications, so that the treaty can come into effect as soon as possible,” Council of Europe Secretary-General Marija Pejcinovic Buric stated.

“We must ensure that the rise of AI upholds our standards, rather than undermining them,” she said as the US, the EU, the UK and Israel among others joined the treaty.