Information
On Thursday, an international treaty on artificial intelligence (AI) was signed by the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, and several other nations. This marks the first legally binding international agreement on the use of AI systems. The treaty was presented by the Council of Europe, with Secretary-General Marija Pejcinovic Buric emphasizing the need for AI to support global standards rather than undermine them. She described the treaty as open for global participation, calling for more countries to sign and ratify it. The treaty offers a legal framework for AI systems throughout their lifecycle, balancing the advancement of AI technology with managing risks to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
The treaty was signed at a Council of Europe justice ministers’ conference in Vilnius, Lithuania, shortly after the EU passed its own AI regulation focusing on high-risk sectors. In addition to the EU, US, and UK, other signatories include Iceland, Norway, and Israel, among others. Countries like Argentina, Canada, and Japan participated in the negotiations. Despite its broad support, NGOs like the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law raised concerns over the enforceability of the treaty’s provisions, arguing that the principles were vague and exempted AI systems used for national security purposes, leaving private companies with less scrutiny than the public sector.
Source: DW, Reuters
So what
This is a positive step, as I think that AI definitely needs some type of regulation. However, without the inclusion of China, the treaty would not have been that effective. If you follow the same logic seen in weapons development, so long as a treaty does not limit one competing country, then everyone who is just has to compete anyway. While it is possible that China may join this treaty or a similar one, it is likely that it will be effective once China is included.
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