Artificial intelligence and human rights

Artificial Intelligence (AI) raises important and urgent issues. AI is already with us – changing the information that we receive, the choices that we make and the ways in which our societies function. In the coming years it will play an even greater role in how governments and public institutions operate, and in how citizens interact and participate in the democratic process.

AI presents both benefits and risks. It is the role of the Council of Europe to ensure that human rights, democracy and the rule of law are protected and promoted in the digital environment. So, we need to ensure that AI is used to promote and protects our standards. I look forward to the outcome of the work of the Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI), mandated by the Committee of Ministers to elaborate a [framework] Convention on the development, design and application of artificial intelligence, based on the Council of Europe’s standards and that is conducive to innovation.

This will be complemented by sector-specific work throughout our Organisation.

The Council of Europe has on many occasions demonstrated its ability to pioneer new standards, which have then become global benchmarks. We will address AI in this tradition, in a multistakeholder approach with other international organisations, civil society, business and academia.

Marija Pejčinović Burić 
Secretary General of the Council of Europe