The Council of Europe (CoE) is
calling for a global ban on artificial intelligence (AI)
practices - from amplification of disinformation to mass
surveillance - that are not only unethical, but undermine
democracy and democratic processes.
This, says the Chair of the CoE's Committee on Artificial
Intelligence Thomas Schneider, is the "clear signal" that the
CoE intends to send out with the new system of rules under
negotiation for its Framework Convention on AI.
The Convention "is close to finalisation" and has the potential
to become the first global treaty on AI", Schneider tells ANSA.
The negotiations are running in parallel to those for the
European Union's AI Act, which has now almost reached the
finishing line.
The Framework Convention and the AI Act are two very different
legal instruments that share the same approach and make the 'Old
Continent' a source of inspiration for the rest of the world.
"The Framework Convention, elaborated in equal cooperation
between the EU, other European States and States from outside
Europe (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Israel, Japan,
Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and the United States of America),
provides a bridge for global cooperation between European States
and likeminded, democratic States around the world on how to
make use of AI technology in a responsible manner," says
Schneider.
However, there are still several knots in the negotiations to be
untangled, including the possible exemption for matters related
to national security from the application of the treaty.
On this point, which has also been contested by non-governmental
organisations, Schneider was non-committal.
"In general, it should be noted that exemptions of this kind are
sensitive but sometimes necessary - even in democratic
societies," he observes.
The question of whether the rules applying to the public sector
should also extend to AI systems developed and used in the
private sector is also under negotiation.
"The debate is about how far Parties can be legally obliged to
take specific measures to regulate the private sector, and what
should be left to their discretion," says Schneider.
"In a global context, there are many different approaches to,
and traditions for, how to regulate the private sector. Unlike
the AI Act, the draft Framework Convention on AI is addressed
only to States, not private actors," he adds.
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