First international AI safety treaty signed by U.S., Britain, and EU aims to protect human rights

The Council of Europe announced that the first legally binding international AI treaty will be open for signing on Thursday. The treaty, which has been in the works for years, was adopted in May after discussions between 57 countries. It focuses on protecting human rights and promoting responsible innovation in AI. The treaty is separate from the EU AI Act, which entered into force last month and entails comprehensive regulations on AI systems within the EU internal market. The Council of Europe, founded in 1949, is an international organization distinct from the EU with a mandate to safeguard human rights. The treaty allows signatories to choose how to implement its provisions, which has raised concerns about its enforceability. Some experts have criticized the treaty for being overly broad and having exemptions for AI systems used for national security purposes. The UK government has pledged to work with regulators and local authorities to implement the treaty's requirements. The treaty has been criticized for its flaws, including limited scrutiny of private companies versus the public sector. Despite these concerns, the treaty marks a significant step towards ensuring that AI technologies are developed and used responsibly.