In May 2024, the Council of Europe adopted the world’s first binding international treaty on artificial intelligence, marking a turning point in global AI governance. Known formally as the ‘Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law,’ the agreement was negotiated among 46 Council of Europe member states and observers, including the U.S., Canada, Israel, and Japan.
The Convention sets legally binding obligations on governments to ensure that AI systems are designed, developed, and used in ways that uphold human rights, democratic values, and the rule of law. It is the first global treaty to explicitly center AI regulation around the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Key features of the Convention include:
- Human oversight and accountability requirements
- Transparent and explainable AI system standards
- Risk-based approaches to public sector AI deployment
- Explicit prohibitions against AI systems that pose ‘unacceptable risk’ to human dignity
- Provisions for international cooperation and mutual legal assistance
The Convention does not mandate technical standards but obligates states to establish legal and institutional frameworks ensuring rights-compliant AI. It applies to both public and private sector actors when they carry out public functions or affect fundamental rights.
European officials emphasize that the treaty is complementary to the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act, which focuses on market regulation. “The Convention provides the ethical and democratic foundations,” said Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe. “The AI Act builds on those foundations to govern the market.”
Notably, the Convention remains open to ratification by non-European countries. The United States participated in negotiations and has expressed interest in aligning domestic principles, though it is unlikely to ratify the treaty in the near term. African and Latin American states have also been invited to consider accession.
The treaty includes mechanisms for peer review and a Conference of the Parties to monitor implementation. Civil society organizations, including Access Now and AlgorithmWatch, praised the treaty’s inclusion of transparency and accountability principles, but called for stronger enforcement tools and more explicit red lines on biometric surveillance and predictive policing.
Ratification processes are now underway across Europe. The treaty will enter into force once five states ratify it, including at least three Council of Europe members. As of July 2025, France, Germany, and the Netherlands have ratified, with others expected to follow by the end of the year.
🔗 Sources:
- [Council of Europe AI Treaty: https://www.coe.int/en/web/artificial-intelligence/convention](https://www.coe.int/en/web/artificial-intelligence/convention)
- [Press release, May 2024: https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/council-of-europe-adopts-world-s-first-binding-international-treaty-on-artificial-intelligence]
- (https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/council-of-europe-adopts-world-s-first-binding-international-treaty-on-artificial-intelligence)
