The Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law has come up with the first ‘legally binding’ international treaty on the use of AI in September 2024. The US, the European Union and the UK signed the treaty.

The treaty was drafted over the last two years by more than 50 countries. It adopts a risk-based approach. It will be applicable across geographies.

Signatories will be accountable for any ‘harmful and discriminatory outcomes of AI systems.’ It will ensure that ‘the outputs of such systems respect equality and privacy rights, and that victims of AI-related rights violations have legal recourse.’

This is first-of-its-kind global treaty that will ensure that AI upholds people’s rights. It will ensure harnessing the benefits of AI, while mitigating its risks. It will ensure a responsible use of AI that respects human rights, the rule of law and democracy.

The treaty provides for certain exemptions — national security and R&D.

Thoughthe treaty is being labelled ‘legally binding’, there are concerns that it does ‘not contain measures for punitive action, e.g. penalties and fines. Compliance is mainly through ‘monitoring.’

Apart from the EU, US and UK, the treaty has also been signed by Israel and Georgia.