“This first-of-a-kind treaty will ensure that the rise of Artificial Intelligence upholds Council of Europe legal standards in human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Its finalisation by our Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI) is an extraordinary achievement and should be celebrated as such.

“It sets out a legal framework that covers AI systems throughout their lifecycles, from start to end.

“While this treaty has been elaborated by the Council of Europe with like-minded international partners, it will be a global instrument, open to the world.  After its adoption by our Committee of Ministers in the coming weeks, countries from all over the world will be eligible to join it and meet the high ethical standards it sets.

“The text strikes the right regulatory balance precisely because it has benefitted from the input of governments and experts, and industry and civil society.  We thank all of those partners for their contribution and delivering this seminal text.  We are convinced that, once adopted, this treaty will bring everyone together in appreciation of its impact.”

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The Framework convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law has been finalised yesterday by the Council of Europe Committee on Artificial Intelligence. The draft text will be referred to the Committee of Ministers for adoption and opened for signature at a later stage.