Historic Agreement: U.S. and Europe Sign the First International AI Treaty

A significant step towards ensuring responsible use of emerging technologies.

The Council of Europe, the continent’s primary organization for defending human rights, announced that the first legally binding international treaty on artificial intelligence (AI) will be open for signature today, Thursday, by the countries that negotiated it, including the European Union (EU) member states, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

This treaty addresses the potential risks posed by AI while promoting responsible innovation. It has been in development for several years and was adopted in May after discussions involving 57 countries.

British Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood stated in a press release: "This treaty represents a major step in ensuring that we can benefit from new technologies without compromising our core values, such as human rights and the rule of law," as reported by Reuters.

Focus of the AI Treaty

The AI treaty primarily focuses on safeguarding the rights of individuals affected by AI systems. It is separate from the EU’s AI Act, which came into force last month.

The EU AI Act introduces comprehensive regulations concerning the development, deployment, and use of AI systems within the European Union’s internal market.

U.S., U.K., and EU Sign the First International AI Treaty

The treaty specifically targets the risks associated with AI while encouraging responsible technological advancements. The Council of Europe has emphasized that the treaty’s core aim is to manage these risks in a way that also promotes innovation.

This development follows years of preparation, and in May, after consultations involving 57 nations, the treaty was formally adopted.

Shabana Mahmood, in her statement, highlighted the significance of the treaty, describing it as an essential step to harness the potential of new technologies without undermining fundamental values such as human rights and the rule of law.

The Treaty and the EU AI Act

Although both the treaty and the EU AI Act deal with AI regulation, they are distinct from each other. The EU AI Act, which came into force last month, provides extensive regulations regarding the development, dissemination, and use of AI technologies within the EU’s internal market.