UK Signs Historic AI Treaty: Pioneering Global Standards for Ethical AI

The UK has taken a pioneering step by signing the world’s first legally binding international treaty on artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring the alignment of AI systems with human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. This historic agreement, known as the Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI, was introduced at a conference of European justice ministers in Vilnius on September 6, 2024.

The treaty has been signed by several nations, including the UK, Iceland, Norway, Andorra, the Republic of Moldova, and Georgia, alongside non-European countries such as Israel, the United States, and members of the European Union. The agreement seeks to regulate the ethical use of AI while safeguarding essential values like democracy and human rights.

The UK’s lord chancellor and justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, emphasized that the treaty represents a significant step in ensuring that AI technologies enhance, rather than erode, fundamental values. She noted, "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."

The Framework Convention’s importance was echoed by Marija Pejčinović Burić, secretary general of the Council of Europe. She remarked on the necessity of the treaty to ensure AI systems comply with global standards: "The Framework Convention is designed to ensure that AI upholds our standards rather than undermining them."

This groundbreaking treaty aims to set a global standard for ethical AI usage. Once five signatories, including at least three Council of Europe member states, ratify it, the treaty will officially enter into force. Countries worldwide are encouraged to join and commit to its provisions, ensuring that AI technologies are developed and used responsibly.

The treaty is expected to foster global cooperation in AI governance, and with ongoing technological advancements, it marks a crucial effort to safeguard human rights in the digital age. As nations continue to adopt AI technologies across various sectors, this agreement lays a strong foundation for ensuring ethical practices while mitigating risks associated with AI misuse.

This landmark treaty is likely the first of many steps toward creating a global AI regulatory framework that will shape the future of AI development worldwide.

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