As delivered by Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to be back in Vilnius for EuroDIG2024.

The Digital Dimension of Freedom is a priority of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers –

So, there is no better place to hold this event –

Or to explain the cutting-edge role that the Council of Europe is playing when it comes to public policy on internet governance.

Our Organisation has always understood the importance of balancing innovation and regulation when it comes to new technologies.

But, in fact, it would be wrong to see these things as weighing against one another.

Rather, they should move in tandem –

Ensuring that technology develops in a way that truly benefits our societies.

This has been our approach with previous
tech-related legal treaties.

Our Budapest Convention on Cybercrime –

Which remains the international gold standard in its field –

Harmonising national laws, improving investigations and increasing cross-border
co-operation –

To tackle internet and computer-based crimes –

And our Convention 108 –

Which has ensured people’s privacy and data protection for over four decades now.

Both of these are open conventions –

Allowing countries from outside Europe to ratify them –

And I know that our team taking part in this year’s EuroDIG has explained how the recent “upgrades” to these treaties have ensured that they keep pace with ever-evolving technology –

As well as outlining our pioneering work on addressing the human rights challenges brought by the Metaverse –

And sharing our guidance on how to counter disinformation on the internet.

This is a subject of particular importance in a “bumper” election year –

In which more than four billion people have the opportunity to vote worldwide –

And where they should be able to cast their ballots based on accurate information.

There is however a specific and positive development about which I also want to speak today.

Last month, at our Ministerial Session in Strasbourg, the Council of Europe’s foreign ministers adopted our new Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence –

And human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

This is the first international legally binding treaty in this area.

It is designed specifically to allow AI technology to flourish –

But to do so in a way that protect individuals’ rights and does not undermine them.

This means that AI systems should uphold the highest standards throughout their lifecycles –

Applying principles that are technology neutral and therefore future-proof –

So that gaps created by rapid technological advances are closed - and remain closed.

These principles include human dignity and individual autonomy –

Equality and non-discrimination –

Protection of privacy and personal data –

Accountability and responsibility –

Protection, transparency and oversight –

And safe innovation and reliability.

On top of this, the Framework Convention also sets out governments’ obligations to provide accessible procedural safeguards and remedies –

To help prevent AI systems from “going off the rails” – both in the private and the public sectors –

And thereby breaching our common standards –

And also to ensure justice where this does happen.

This treaty has the potential to ensure safer, more secure Artificial Intelligence –

Not just in Europe, but around the world.

Because the Framework Convention –

Just like the Budapest Convention and Convention 108 + –

Is an open convention –

With the potential to help converge AI regulation throughout not just our continent –

But among countries around the world that share our values –

And that want to be part of this process.

Many of them are already well-versed in the content.

Because our Committee on Artificial Intelligence –

Which did such good work in bringing this text together –

Had the input, not only of our 46 member states –

But also the insights of a diverse group of 11 Observer States from around the world, plus the EU.

Our inclusive process has produced a strong text that also drew from the ideas and expertise of 68 non-state actors –

Respected academics –

Private businesses –

And civil society organisations.

This even handed, big-tent – multi-stakeholder –approach has delivered.

Now, we move to the next stage.

The Framework Convention will be opened for signature on 5 September, here in Vilnius –

And I hope that many countries will move swiftly to sign it, ratify it, and bring it into force –

So that as many citizens as possible gain from what it has to offer.

But we are also aware that a transversal treaty like the Framework Convention alone is not enough.

We need to ensure a comprehensive approach –

With binding and non-binding instruments that address sector-specific challenges –

So that our common standards apply there too.

We know, for example, that AI can include –

And even amplify –

Bias in its systems.

So, we will undertake further, urgent work on how to prevent these systems from entrenching structural discrimination, marginalisation and inequality.

More than this, we should look for ways to ensure that AI should not merely avoid bias –

But actively and positively promote equality instead.

So, alongside the Framework Convention, we will develop new sectoral instruments –

Designed to do just that.

We will shape tools to evaluate the implementation of the new Convention.

This will also be prepared by our Committee on Artificial Intelligence –

By the end of next year.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We know that artificial Intelligence has the power to transform our societies.

But while people often talk about this in terms of its impact on our personal and professional lives –

It is equally true of our rights.

At its best, innovation in AI can promote equality and uphold our standards of human rights, democracy and the rule of law when these are challenged.

The Council of Europe is determined to work with experts and others to ensure that this happens –

So that AI innovates in the best possible way.

Our new Framework Convention and future work plan reflect our determination to deliver on this from all angles –

Including internet governance.

The future of technology remains ours to determine.

Let us do so in the right way.