US to Join EU and UK In Signing First-Ever AI Regulation Treaty

The United States, European Union, and United Kingdom will sign the first-ever AI convention under the Council of Europe, sparking substantial international collaboration in AI governance.

At a Glance

• The EU, Norway, UK, and US are among the countries signing the treaty in Lithuania on September 5.
• The convention offers a legally binding framework for AI systems’ entire lifecycle, emphasizing human rights and democratic values.
• The Council of Europe’s Secretary-General Marija Pejčinović Burić expects quick ratifications to enforce the treaty soon.
• The treaty applies to public and private sectors, mandating responsible AI development and deployment.

International AI Governance Milestone

The signing ceremony for the Council of Europe’s inaugural AI convention will take place on September 5 in Lithuania. The landmark treaty includes participation from the United States, European Union, and the United Kingdom, among other nations, symbolizing a historic step towards global cooperation in AI regulation.

The treaty establishes comprehensive legal guidelines encapsulating the entire lifecycle of AI systems. This regulation is notable as the first legally binding text on AI, emphasizing risks and promoting responsible innovation. Besides the EU and UK, seventy additional signatories, including the United States, demonstrate the global effort to align AI advancements with human dignity and societal values.

The legally binding nature of the treaty means it comprises strict compliance measures, offering a robust framework across both public and private sectors. The compliance models for the private sector vary, aiming to ensure that AI models developed and deployed abide by established ethical standards.

To enforce the treaty, ratifications are required from a minimum of five signatory countries, including three members of the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe Secretary-General Marija Pejčinović Burić expressed optimism about the treaty’s swift ratification and implementation, opening the path for a unified global stance on AI governance.

“The Framework Convention is an open treaty with a potentially global reach. I hope that these will be the first of many signatures and that they will be followed quickly by ratifications, so that the treaty can enter into force as soon as possible,” Burić said in a statement.

Human Rights and Accountability

The treaty prioritizes human rights and accountability in AI regulation, holding signatories responsible for preventing harm or discrimination due to AI systems. It mandates that AI outputs respect citizens’ equality and privacy rights, thereby providing legal resources to victims of AI rights violations. Currently, enforcement relies on monitoring, with no fines established for violations yet.

Contributions and Global Reach

The drafting process of the treaty saw contributions from over 50 countries, including major players like Canada, Israel, Japan, and Australia. Council of Europe member states, along with eleven non-EU countries, actively participated, aiming for a balanced approach that benefited from multiple expert perspectives.

“The Framework Convention is designed to ensure just that. It is a strong and balanced text – the result of the open and inclusive approach by which it was drafted and which ensured that it benefits from multiple and expert perspectives,” Burić noted.

While the EU has already enacted the EU AI Act, effective from August 1, the US Congress is yet to implement a nationwide AI regulation framework. However, various AI safety committees and task forces are actively working. California has emerged as a key participant, drafting significant AI regulations, including one bill that addresses unauthorized AI-generated digital replicas, and another mandating safety testing and a “kill switch” for advanced AI models.