U.S. Signs EU’s AI and Human Rights Framework to Combat AI-Based Discrimination

This week, the U.S. took a major step in the global effort to regulate artificial intelligence by signing the Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights.

The convention, spearheaded by the Council of Europe and backed by the European Union (EU), aims to create international standards that govern the ethical use of AI, particularly to prevent discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, and other vulnerable characteristics.

With contributions from 46 members of the Council of Europe and 11 non-member states, including the U.S., the Framework Convention offers a legal foundation for responsible AI development. It strives to ensure that AI systems uphold human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

“We must ensure that the rise of AI supports, rather than undermines, our democratic principles,” said Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe. “This treaty holds the potential to reach global influence, and I expect many more countries to follow suit and ratify the agreement so it can take effect swiftly.”

The U.S., alongside countries like Israel, the United Kingdom, Norway, and others, has become one of the early signatories of this groundbreaking convention. The treaty brings heightened oversight, even for non-member countries, ensuring a global approach to AI regulation.

Marc Rotenberg, Executive Director of the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP), described the treaty as a landmark moment, emphasizing its importance in safeguarding fundamental rights, democratic values, and oversight over AI systems. However, the U.S. Senate will need to ratify the convention for it to take effect domestically.

"The Convention aligns with the U.S. government's regulatory stance on AI," said a U.S. State Department spokesperson. "Our participation reflects our dedication to protecting human rights and promoting democratic values."

The Council of Europe first adopted the Framework Convention in May 2024, with its enactment dependent on the ratification by at least five signatory countries, including three from the EU. The Convention mirrors ongoing U.S. efforts to regulate AI, including recent policy proposals from lawmakers like Senators Mark Warner and Marsha Blackburn, and executive orders from the Biden administration.