Human rights, democracy and the rule of law will be further
protected from potential threats posed by artificial intelligence
(AI) under a new international agreement to be signed by Lord
Chancellor today (Thursday 5
September).
The new framework agreed by the Council of Europe commits parties
to collective action to manage AI products and protect the public
from potential misuse.
AI is likely to bring significant benefits like boosting
productivity and increasing cancer detection rates. But the new
convention includes important safeguards against its risks, such
as the spread of misinformation or using biased data which may
prejudice decisions.
The treaty will ensure countries monitor its development and
ensure any technology is managed within strict parameters. It
includes provisions to protect the public and their data, human
rights, democracy and the rule of law. It also commits countries
to act against activities which fall outside of these parameters
to tackle the misuse of AI models which pose a risk to public
services and the wider public.
Once the treaty is ratified and brought into effect in the UK,
existing laws and measures will be enhanced. For example, aspects
of the Online Safety Act will better tackle the risk of AI using
biased data and producing unfair outcomes.
As the first legally-binding international treaty on AI, the
Convention will ensure there is a united front across the world
to managing the dangers of the technology in line with our shared
values. Countries outside the Council of Europe are also being
invited to become signatories, including the United States of
America and Australia.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary said:
“Artificial Intelligence has the capacity to radically improve
the responsiveness and effectiveness of public services, and
turbocharge economic growth.
“However, we must not let AI shape us – we must shape AI.
“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 new agreement has three over-arching safeguards:
- Protecting human rights, including ensuring people's data is
used appropriately, their privacy is respected and AI does not
discriminate against them.
- Protecting democracy by ensuring countries take steps to
prevent public institutions and processes being undermined.
- Protecting the rule of law, by putting the onus on signatory
countries to regulate AI-specific risks, protect its citizens
from potential harms and ensure it is used safely.
The government will work closely with regulators, the devolved
administrations, and local authorities as the Convention is
ratified to ensure it can appropriately implement its new
requirements.
The UK continues to play a key role as an international leader in
safe, secure, and trustworthy AI, having hosted the AI Safety
Summit and co-hosted the AI Seoul Summit, establishing the
world-first AI Safety Institute, and playing a key role in the
negotiations which have framed the Convention signed today.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and
Technology, said:
“AI holds the potential to be the driving force behind new
economic growth, a productivity revolution and true
transformation in our public services, but that ambition can only
be achieved if people have faith and trust in the innovations
which will bring about that change.
“The Convention we've signed today alongside global partners will
be key to that effort. Once in force, it 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.”
The Lord Chancellor also reiterated the UK's commitment to
supporting Ukraine and ensuring Russia is held accountable for
its full-scale invasion. She discussed with international
counterparts, the progress on establishing a Special Tribunal for
the Crime of Aggression to hold Putin's Russia to account for its
illegal war.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The use of AI to kickstart economic growth and deliver
transformative change across the UK's public services are central
pillars of the government's five key missions. The Technology
Secretary has recently launched the AI Opportunities Action
Plan led by Matt Clifford, which will play a central role in
ensuring the UK can reap the benefits of AI across the
economy.
- The UK's AI Safety Institute was launched in November 2023,
and is the world's first state-backed body dedicated to AI
safety. It continues to drive forward international collaboration
on AI safety research, signing a new agreement on AI safety with
the United States
earlier this year.
- In the King's Speech, the government also confirmed plans to
introduce highly-targeted legislation which will focus on the
most powerful AI models being developed. Further announcements on
this legislation will follow in due course.
