The Council of Europe opened the first legally binding international AI treaty in 2024

On 5 September 2024 the Council of Europe opened for signature its Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, which it describes as “the first-ever international legally binding treaty” in the field of artificial intelligence. Unlike a declaration or code of conduct, it is binding international law, tying AI activities to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The first signatories reached well beyond Europe, including the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.