UK aligns closer to European AI policy with international treaty

The UK has further aligned its AI policy with Europe after signing a fresh international treaty to protect human rights from AI.

The Council of Europe treaty, signed on Thursday, promises collective action to protect the public from threats to human rights, democracy and the rule of law from AI.

Signatories have promised to monitor AI development, ensuring it falls within strict parameters.

Under the agreement, participating countries are required to include provisions in their AI legislation to protect public data.

“We must not let AI shape us – we must shape AI,” said Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

“This convention is a major step to ensuring that these new technologies can be harnessed without eroding our oldest values, like human rights and the rule of law.”

The treaty is legally binding and, when ratified, will be brought into existing legislation such as the Online Safety Act.

“Once in force, [the treaty] will further enhance protections for human rights, rule of law and democracy, – strengthening our own domestic approach to the technology while furthering the global cause of safe, secure, and responsible AI,” said Tech Secretary Peter Kyle.

The UK has yet to pass a bill on AI. However, during the King’s Speech in July, Charles III said the government would “seek to establish the appropriate legislation to place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful artificial intelligence models”.

The EU brought its AI Act into force last month, prompting questions over whether the UK’s eventual legislation would follow suit or break away.

The joint agreement suggests British AI policy is inching closer with the rest of Europe. Though the Council of Europe is a distinct entity from the EU, the organisations are closely connected.