What Does the World’s First International AI Treaty Include?
In a landmark development for the governance of AI, the Council of Europe has announced that the first legally binding international AI treaty will be open for signing on Thursday.
"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," UK Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood said in a statement.
This agreement, which has been years in the making, will see EU members, the US and UK, among others, commit to a shared framework for addressing the risks and potential of AI while promoting responsible innovation.
A milestone in AI governance
The AI Convention, adopted in May after extensive negotiations involving 57 countries, represents a concerted effort to establish a global standard for AI governance.
While it shares some common ground with the EU's AI Act, which came into force last month, this new treaty extends its reach beyond the bloc’s borders, creating a broader international consensus on AI regulation.
The timing of this treaty comes off the heels of sentiments of global governments as they push to put barriers on the rapidly accelerating technology.
The inaugural AI Safety Summit saw the Bletchley Declaration signed by 28 nations , and the subsequent summit in Seoul, South Korea saw major tech firms from around the world, including giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, make voluntary commitments to AI safety under the "Frontier AI Safety Commitments" initiative.
This global treaty, however, takes these efforts a step further by creating a legally binding framework that transcends individual corporate pledges or regional regulations, holding signatories accountable for harmful or discriminatory AI outcomes and ensures that AI systems respect equality and privacy rights.
It represents a significant shift from the voluntary, business-led approach seen in Seoul to a more structured, government-driven model of AI governance.
Human rights in the era of Artificial Intelligence
At its core, the AI Convention focuses on protecting the human rights of individuals affected by AI systems. This emphasis on human rights is crucial, as it addresses growing concerns about the potential for AI to infringe upon fundamental freedoms and individual privacy.
Such aim, however, is not without its critics. Some worry that, whilst regulation may be necessary, regulation may stifle this innovation streak the world is currently experiencing due to AI.
“While it is important to mitigate the risks that AI poses, there should be a measured approach to any regulation to avoid stifling innovation,” explains Jay Limburn, Chief Product Officer at AI data platform Ataccama.
Others argue that businesses involved in AI are best placed to help organisations navigate risks associated with implementing the technology.
“Working with business partners and AI experts that have already proved AI concepts will instil confidence in AI adoption, addressing the multitude of questions around new solutions and fuelling growth while minimising risks.” says Libero Raspa, Director of consultancy adesso UK.
Yet, others remain more optimistic about the legislation, believing this will yield better AI fit for the future.
“Promoting the safe and trustworthy development of AI through the international treaty on global AI standards is welcome for the future use of AI,” says Sridhar Iyengar, Managing Director at technology company Zoho Europe. “Adding greater accountability for AI misuse and breaches of privacy encourages leaders and regulators to take a more considered and cautious approach to AI development to mitigate risks.”
A hindrance or a helper of AI?
As countries prepare to sign this landmark treaty, the focus will soon shift to implementation and enforcement of the legislation.
The UK government has already stated its intention to work with regulators, devolved administrations, and local authorities to ensure appropriate implementation of the new requirements.
Equally, the EU have implemented their own AI Act, so enterprises and organisations alike may have some understanding of the legislation that is waiting down the line.
“AI adoption isn’t slowing down, so businesses need to embrace it, but embrace it equipped with the right guidelines and expertise in place,” explains Matt Smith, Managing Director of Technology Transformation & CIO for recruiter Investigo.
While this treaty represents a significant milestone in the global governance of AI, its true impact will be determined by how effectively it is implemented and enforced across different national contexts.
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