The Council of Europe human rights organization has announced that nations involved in drafting the first legally binding international AI pact—including the US, the UK, and EU members—will be eligible to sign the agreement on Thursday, according to Reuters.
The AI Convention, adopted in May after years of development and negotiations among 57 countries, aims to foster responsible innovation while addressing potential risks associated with AI technologies. Britain’s justice minister, Shabana Mahmood, described the Convention as a significant milestone, ensuring that new technologies can be utilized without compromising fundamental values such as human rights and the rule of law.
While the EU AI Act, which took effect last month, focuses on regulating AI within the EU internal market, the AI Convention is primarily concerned with safeguarding human rights globally. The EU Act contains detailed rules on the development, deployment, and usage of AI systems within the EU.
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Founded in 1949, the Council of Europe is an international body distinct from the European Union, dedicated to protecting human rights. It comprises 47 member states, including all 27 EU members.
A specialized group on Artificial Intelligence was established in 2022 to draft and negotiate the Convention’s language, following initial investigations by an ad hoc group in 2019. To implement the Convention, signatories may need to pass new laws, regulations, or undertake other measures.
Francesca Fanucci, a legal expert at the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL), expressed concerns about the Convention’s effectiveness. She criticized it as having been “watered down” into a vague set of principles, questioning its legal certainty and enforceability. Fanucci pointed out two main issues: insufficient scrutiny of private enterprises compared to the public sector and exemptions for AI systems used for national security. She deemed these aspects disappointing.
The UK government has pledged to work with regulators, devolved governments, and local councils to ensure the effective implementation of the new standards set by the Convention.
