On September 5th, the European Commission's human rights organization announced that the first legally binding international treaty on artificial intelligence (AI) will be open for signature this Thursday.
The countries involved in the negotiations include the United States, the United Kingdom, and the member states of the European Union. This agreement, known as the "Artificial Intelligence Convention," has been in preparation for many years and was officially passed this May, following discussions among 57 countries.
Image Source: The image was generated by AI, provided by the image licensing service Midjourney
The purpose of this convention is to address the various risks that AI may pose, while promoting responsible innovation. UK Justice Secretary Shabanah Mahmood stated that this convention is a crucial step in ensuring that new technologies can be utilized without compromising our fundamental values. She specifically mentioned human rights and the rule of law as key values.
The focus of the AI Convention is to protect the human rights of those affected by AI systems. This differs from the EU AI Act, which came into effect last month and primarily regulates the development, deployment, and use of AI systems within the EU internal market. It is worth noting that the European Commission, founded in 1949, is an international organization independent of the EU, dedicated to upholding human rights, with 47 member countries including all 27 EU member states.
Discussions on this convention began in 2019 when a special committee started assessing the feasibility of an AI framework convention. Subsequently, a dedicated committee was established in 2022 to draft and negotiate the treaty text. During this signing, countries can choose to implement the treaty's provisions through legislation, administrative measures, or other means. The UK government has stated that it will work closely with regulatory bodies, local governments, and relevant departments to ensure the proper implementation of these new requirements.
Now, with the rapid development of AI technology, how to ensure that these technologies benefit society without infringing on fundamental human rights has become a global challenge.
Key Points:
🌍 The first international AI treaty will be open for signature this Thursday, with participating countries including the US, UK, and EU member states.
🤝 The convention focuses on protecting the human rights of those affected by AI systems, aiming to address the risks posed by AI.
📜 The UK government has pledged to actively collaborate with all parties to ensure the treaty's requirements are met, promoting responsible technological innovation.