EU, U.S., UK sign Council of Europe's AI treaty

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 5 - The European Union, United States and United Kingdom have signed the Council of Europe's convention on artificial intelligence (AI).
    The Council of Europe Framework Convention on artificial intelligence and human rights, democracy, and the rule of law was adopted by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on 17 May this year.
    It is the first-ever international legally binding treaty aimed at ensuring that the use of AI systems is fully consistent with human rights, the rule of law and juridical standards of democracy.
    The convention was opened for signature on Thursday during a conference of Council of Europe Ministers of Justice in Vilnius.
    Among the first to sign, in addition to the EU, US and the United Kingdom, were also Israel, Norway, Georgia, Moldova, Iceland, Andorra and San Marino.
    The Convention was the product of two years of work by an intergovernmental body, the Committee on AI (CAI) which not only gathered 46 Council of Europe member states, but also the EU, 11 non-member states (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, the Holy See, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Peru, the United States of America and Uruguay), representatives of the private sector, civil society and academia. The text provides a juridical framework which covers the entire lifecycle of AI systems, promoting progress and innovation of artificial intelligence and managing at the same time the risks for human rights, democracy and the rule of law. In order for the Convention to come into effect, it must be ratified by five signatories, of which at least three Council of Europe member States. Countries from around the world will be able to adhere to the treaty and commit to complying with its provisions.
    Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić said that, from the Council's standpoint, it is important to guarantee that rules are respected and promoted as new technologies are developed. "We must ensure that the rise of AI upholds our standards, rather than undermining them. The Framework Convention is designed to ensure just that. It is a strong and balanced text - the result of the open and inclusive approach by which it was drafted and which ensured that it benefits from multiple and expert perspectives", she said. "The Framework Convention is an open treaty with a potentially global reach. I hope that these will be the first of many signatures and that they will be followed quickly by ratifications, so that the treaty can enter into force as soon as possible." The convention was signed on behalf of the EU by the vice president of the European Commission, Věra Jourová, who recalled that the AI Act, the European legislation on artificial intelligence, came into force last month.
    "Our message is that we want people to use AI knowing they can trust what it has to offer", said Jourová, adding however that the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence are not limited to the borders of a region, a country or a continent.
    "We need global rules and the convention we are signing today is a fundamental step for this", she explained.
    The Convention of the Council of Europe has been criticized under several aspects.
    One of the controversial issues is the asymmetry between public and private actors under which the first have to implement the rules while for the private sector the sides will be allowed to adopt other measures to comply with the treaty.
    The Council of Europe has said the flexibility is due to differences in juridical systems across the globe. Another controversial point is the exemption from national security: States don't have to implement the treaty on activities protecting national security interests provided such activities respect international law and democratic processes. It will be up to States to evaluate the need for a moratorium, a ban or other appropriate measures concerning the use of AI systems where risks can be incompatible with human rights standards.
    (ANSA).