Signing of the International Treaty on Artificial Intelligence by the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union

The European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom, along with several other countries, signed an international treaty on the use of artificial intelligence systems.

Maria Pejcinovic Boric, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, requested more countries to sign this international agreement and said:

“We need to ensure that the increased use of AI meets our standards, not undermines them.”

Goals and signatory countries of the artificial intelligence treaty

The European Council statement said the agreement “includes a legal framework that covers the entire life cycle of artificial intelligence systems.” Such a treaty would promote progress and innovation in the field of artificial intelligence as well as manage the risks it may pose to human rights, democracy and the rule of law, says Pejcinovic Burik.

In addition to the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom, the countries of Andorra, Georgia, Iceland, Norway, Moldova and San Marino have also signed this treaty. Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Vatican, Japan, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay have also participated in the negotiations.

The Council of Europe is an organization based in Strasbourg, France, which aims to protect human rights. 47 countries are members of this union, including 27 member countries of the European Union.

Francesca Fanucci, a legal expert at the Hague-based public non-governmental organization European Non-Profit Law (ECNL), says the agreement has become a broad set of principles. He explains:

“The formulation of the principles and obligations in this convention is so broad and full of caveats that it raises serious questions about its legal certainty and its ability to be effectively enforced.”

It also noted exemptions for artificial intelligence systems for national security purposes and limited scrutiny of private companies compared to the public sector.