Breaking News: International AI Treaty to be Signed by EU, US, and UK
The first legally binding international AI treaty will be open for signing on Thursday by the countries which negotiated it, including European Union members, the United States, and Britain, the Council of Europe human rights organization said. The AI Convention, adopted in May after discussions between 57 countries, addresses the risks AI may pose while promoting responsible innovation.
"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," Britain's justice minister, Shabana Mahmood, said in a statement.
The AI Convention focuses on protecting the human rights of people affected by AI systems and is separate from the EU AI Act, which recently entered into force. The EU's AI Act entails comprehensive regulations on the development, deployment, and use of AI systems within the EU internal market.
The Council of Europe, an international organization founded in 1949, with a mandate to safeguard human rights, has 47 member countries, including all 27 EU member states. An ad hoc committee in 2019 started examining the feasibility of an AI framework convention, leading to the formation of a Committee on Artificial Intelligence in 2022, which drafted and negotiated the text.
The signatories can choose to adopt or maintain legislative, administrative, or other measures to give effect to the provisions. The UK government has stated that it will work with regulators, devolved administrations, and local authorities to ensure the appropriate implementation of the new requirements.
In conclusion, the international AI treaty aims to ensure the responsible use of AI technologies while upholding human rights and the rule of law. This development could have significant implications for the regulation and deployment of AI systems globally, impacting individuals, businesses, and governments. Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking agreement.
