The European Union has formally joined the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights — the world’s first legally binding international treaty on AI. Signed in Strasbourg in September 2024 and ratified by the EU in early 2025, the convention represents a landmark moment for global digital governance.
The agreement is the culmination of nearly three years of negotiations between 46 Council of Europe member states, the EU, and observers including the United States, Canada, and Japan. Its stated goal is to ensure that the development and use of artificial intelligence systems uphold democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law.
“The AI Convention places fundamental rights at the core of how we govern algorithmic systems across borders,” said Christel Schaldemose, a Danish MEP who participated in the European Parliament’s digital affairs committee. “It’s a foundational baseline that builds trust — not just in the EU, but globally.”
The Convention outlines four core obligations for signatories:
- Legal safeguards to prevent AI-related discrimination and harm.
- Transparency and explainability of high-risk AI systems.
- Impact assessments on human rights and democratic freedoms.
- Public oversight and access to remedies in cases of AI misuse.
Crucially, the treaty covers both public and private actors — meaning that even companies developing AI applications can be held accountable under international norms if they operate in participating states. Enforcement, however, remains with national authorities and legal systems.
The EU’s endorsement of the Convention complements its own AI Act, passed in 2024. While the AI Act provides a regulatory framework within the Union, the Convention establishes an interoperable legal floor for AI governance across Europe and beyond.
Civil society and advocacy organizations have cautiously welcomed the agreement. Amnesty International praised its human rights framing, though criticized a lack of mandatory bans on biometric surveillance. Meanwhile, business groups have expressed concerns over regulatory fragmentation.
The European Commission has committed to supporting the Convention’s implementation by funding digital rights training, promoting algorithmic transparency projects, and ensuring that SMEs receive technical guidance.
Experts say the treaty could become a model for similar pacts elsewhere — especially in Africa and Latin America, where regional AI regulation is still in its early stages.
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