The United States, United Kingdom, European Union, and several other countries have signed the world’s first legally binding international treaty focused on artificial intelligence (AI) Called the AI Convention, the treaty aims to protect human rights and ensure the responsible use of AI technology.

Created by the Council of Europe, the treaty was officially adopted in May 2024 after discussions with 57 countries. It sets guidelines for the development and use of AI systems, focusing on managing risks to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

"This treaty is a big step towards making sure AI can benefit us without harming our most important values," said Britain’s Justice Minister, Shabana Mahmood.

The treaty covers the entire process of developing and using AI, providing legal standards to protect people and promote innovation. Although the AI Convention is separate from the EU’s AI Act, which recently came into effect, both aim to regulate AI on a global level.

Some experts, however, have raised concerns about the treaty’s enforcement. Legal expert Francesca Fanucci noted that some of the treaty’s principles are broad and may not be easy to apply in practice, especially with exceptions for AI used in national security.

Despite these concerns, the treaty marks a major step in creating global rules for AI, aiming to ensure that the technology is used responsibly and ethically as it continues to grow and shape the future.

To read more about the Council of Europe's AI Convention, visit their official website.