The European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Andorra, Georgia, Iceland, Norway, Moldova, San Marino and Israel, have signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on artificial intelligence and human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, in Vilnius.

According to the CoE web page, it is the first-ever international legally binding treaty aimed at ensuring that the use of AI systems is fully consistent with human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

The treaty provides a legal framework covering the entire lifecycle of AI systems. It promotes AI progress and innovation while managing the risks it may pose to human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić said: “We must ensure that the rise of AI upholds our standards rather than undermining them. The Framework Convention is designed to ensure just that. It is a strong and balanced text – the result of the open and inclusive approach by which it was drafted and ensured that it benefits from multiple and expert perspectives.

The Framework Convention is an open treaty with a potentially global reach. I hope 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 Framework Convention was adopted by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on 17 May 2024. 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 of America and Uruguay) negotiated the treaty. Representatives of the private sector, civil society and academia contributed as observers.

The treaty will enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date on which five signatories, including at least three Council of Europe member states, have ratified it. Countries from all over the world will be eligible to join it and commit to complying with its provisions.