Recently, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union officially co-signed the first "legally binding" artificial intelligence treaty, named the "AI Framework Convention." The purpose of this treaty is to ensure that the use of artificial intelligence aligns with human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. This marks a significant advancement in the field of AI safety since its inception in 2019.
According to the treaty, all signatory countries must adhere to certain fundamental principles, such as protecting user data, respecting the law, and maintaining operational transparency. Each country must adopt or maintain appropriate legislative, administrative, or other measures to reflect the contents of this framework. Besides the U.S., the U.K., and the EU, countries that have signed the treaty include Andorra, Georgia, Iceland, Norway, Moldova, San Marino, and Israel.
However, despite being labeled as "legally binding," the Financial Times points out that the treaty's compliance primarily relies on monitoring, which is relatively weak in enforcement. Nevertheless, this treaty could still serve as a blueprint for countries to develop their own AI laws.
Currently, the U.S. is pushing for legislation related to artificial intelligence, the EU has passed landmark AI regulatory laws, and the U.K. is also considering enacting corresponding legislation. Additionally, California is on the verge of passing an AI safety bill, which has sparked opposition from tech giants like OpenAI.
At the signing ceremony, the Secretary-General of the European Commission, Marija Pejčinović Burić, stated: "We must ensure that the rise of artificial intelligence upholds our standards rather than undermines them. The Framework Convention is designed to ensure this."
This is a powerful and balanced document that embodies the ideals of openness and inclusiveness." The treaty will come into effect once it is ratified by five signatory countries and will be officially implemented three months later.
Key Points:
1. 📝 The U.S., U.K., and EU have signed the first legally binding AI treaty, aiming to ensure AI aligns with human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
2. 🔒 The treaty requires countries to take measures to protect user data, respect the law, and maintain transparency.
3. 🌍 Despite being "legally binding," the treaty's compliance mainly relies on monitoring, with relatively weak enforcement.