As delivered by Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Ministers,

Harnessing the benefits of Artificial Intelligence –

And mitigating the dangers –

Is a defining challenge of our times.

That is why the Council of Europe is at work on an international treaty on the design, development and use of AI systems –

Based on existing human rights and rule of law standards.

Negotiations on its content are already underway.

These include the 46 member states of our Organisation –

Along with our Observer States, Canada, Japan, Mexico, the Holy See and the United States –

Plus, Israel, the European Union, the OECD and UNESCO –

Several countries from outside Europe that have applied for observer status too –

And we are open – welcoming, in fact – of other countries joining where they share our aims and values.

We aim to finalise the treaty by mid-March of next year.

Yes, it is being drafted in Europe –

But it is a treaty with the potential to foster cooperation and policymaking on a global scale.

I hope that countries represented here in this room today will consider joining our efforts –

So that we can ensure that AI upholds individuals’ rights rather than undermine them.