Global AI Treaty: UK and US Among Nations Signing Landmark Agreement

UK signs first international treaty to implement AI safeguards | bobsguide

The US, EU, and Israel are also among the signatory nations of the Council of Europe's Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence. The treaty seeks to balance innovation with the protection of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, marking a significant step in global AI governance. Governments around the world, including the UK, US, and EU, have signed the Council of Europe's Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence (AI). This legally binding treaty aims to ensure that AI systems respect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law throughout their entire lifecycle while promoting innovation. It also commits countries to act against activities that fall outside these parameters to prevent the misuse of AI models that pose risks to public services and the broader public. On behalf of the UK, the agreement was signed on Thursday by Shabana Mahmood, the UK Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary. In a statement for the UK government, Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood said: "Artificial Intelligence has the capacity to radically improve the responsiveness and effectiveness of public services, and turbocharge economic growth. However, we must not let AI shape us - we must shape AI. 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." Once the treaty is ratified and enacted in the UK, existing laws and measures will be strengthened. As the first legally binding international treaty on AI, the Convention will ensure a united global approach to managing the risks of this technology in alignment with shared values. The agreement covers three general areas of protection: The framework was agreed upon by 46 Council of Europe member states, the EU, and 11 non-member states (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, the Holy See, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Peru, the United States, and Uruguay) in May. In addition to the US, EU, and UK, it has now been signed by Andorra, Georgia, Iceland, Norway, the Republic of Moldova, San Marino, and Israel.

'Legally Enforceable' AI Treaty Signed by Host of Countries Including US

A host of countries including the United States and the United Kingdom have signed the "first-ever international legally binding treaty" aimed at ensuring AI systems are "fully consistent with human rights, democracy and the rule of law." The Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence provides a legal framework for AI systems to protect user data, respect the law, and keep practices transparent. As well as the U.S. and the U.K., the treaty was signed by the European Union, Israel, Andorra, Georgia, Iceland, Norway, the Republic of Moldova, and San Marino. The Verge reports that despite numerous AI safety frameworks agreed upon by major players in the industry, there is little consequence for those who break their commitments. And although the Council of Europe trumpets the treaty as "legally binding", the Financial Times notes that "compliance is measured primarily through monitoring, which is a relatively weak form of enforcement." "We must ensure that the rise of AI upholds our standards, rather than undermining them. The Framework Convention is designed to ensure just that," says Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić. "It is a strong and balanced text -- the result of the open and inclusive approach by which it was drafted and which ensured that it benefits from multiple and expert perspectives. The Framework Convention is an open treaty with a potentially global reach. I hope that these will be the first of many signatures and that they will be followed quickly by ratifications, so that the treaty can enter into force as soon as possible." The treaty has been in the works since 2019 and was negotiated by the 46 Council of Europe member states, the European Union, and 11 non-member states: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, the Holy See, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Peru, the United States, and Uruguay. Representatives of the private sector, civil society, and academia contributed as observers.