EU, US and UK sign first global treaty on artificial intelligence
The EU, US and UK have signed the first international treaty on the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
The treaty creates a legal framework that gives AI systems space to promote technological progress and innovation, while aiming to ensure these systems are not used to undermine human rights, democratic institutions or the rule of law.
The initiative for the treaty comes from the Council of Europe, but all countries are free to join. Israel has signed the text and Argentina, Australia, Japan, Mexico and Canada participated in preliminary negotiations.
“We must ensure that the rise of AI upholds our standards rather than undermining them,” Marija Pejcinovic Buric, secretary-general of the Council of Europe, said in a press release following a ceremony in Vilnius.
European Commission vice-president Vera Jourova described the treaty as a “real milestone in global governance” of AI. It is also in line with the European AI law that has been in force since this summer.
The treaty will come into force after five signatories, including at least three Council of Europe member states, have ratified the text.
Visitors to an artificial intelligence trade fair in Dortmund, Germany © PHOTO IMAGO
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