On Friday, Europe’s top human rights organization adopted the first-ever legally binding international treaty regulating the operate of artificial intelligence (AI).
Experts have called on international organizations and governments to curb the risks posed by artificial intelligence technology, which is expected to transform almost every aspect of human life in the coming years.
“The treaty, which is also open to non-European countries, establishes a legal framework covering the entire lifecycle of artificial intelligence systems and eliminating the risks they may pose, while promoting responsible innovation,” the Council of Europe said in a statement.
The text was adopted at the annual ministerial meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, attended by the foreign ministers of 46 member states.
“The Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence is a first-of-its-kind global treaty that will ensure that artificial intelligence respects human rights,” said Marija Pejcinovic, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, in a statement.
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“With this fresh treaty, we want to ensure the responsible operate of artificial intelligence while respecting human rights, the rule of law and democracy.”
The convention is the result of two years of work by an intergovernmental body that includes the Council’s 46 member states, the European Union and 11 non-member states, including the United States and the Vatican, as well as representatives of civil society and academia.
Among other things, the treaty requires parties to ensure that artificial intelligence systems are not used to undermine democratic institutions and processes, the Council of Europe said.
She added that “transparency and oversight requirements” would include “identifying content generated by AI systems” for users.
The framework convention will be opened for signature in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, during the September conference of justice ministers.
In March, the European Parliament adopted the world’s most far-reaching rules governing artificial intelligence, including powerful systems such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Senior EU officials say the rules, first proposed in 2021, will protect citizens from the threats posed by the breakneck pace of technology development while encouraging innovation on the continent.
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