News
Application of artificial intelligence in healthcare
The impact of AI on the ′patient-doctor′ relationship is the focus of a new report by the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Human Rights in the fields of Biomedicine and Health...
Council of Europe opens first ever global treaty on AI for signature
The Council of Europe Framework Convention on artificial intelligence and human rights, democracy, and the rule of law (CETS No. 225) was opened for signature during a conference of Council of Europe Ministers of Justice in Vilnius. It is the first-ever international legally binding treaty aimed...
Council of Europe adopts first international treaty on artificial intelligence
The Council of Europe has adopted the first-ever international legally binding treaty aimed at ensuring the respect of human rights, the rule of law and democracy legal standards in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law Framework Convention
“This first-of-a-kind treaty will ensure that the rise of Artificial Intelligence upholds Council of Europe legal standards in human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Its finalisation by our Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI) is an extraordinary achievement and should be celebrated...
Presentation of the Council of Europe's activities on Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the OECD - African Union AI Dialogue
On 5 and 6 March 2024, the Artificial Intelligence Unit of the Council of Europe participated in the OECD - African Union (AU) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Dialogue sponsored by the government of the United Kingdom (UK) and taking place at the OECD Headquarters in Paris to present the work of the...
Meeting of Globalpolicy.AI
On 4 March 2024, the Artificial Intelligence Unit of the Council of Europe hosted the latest meeting of Globalpolicy.AI, a cooperation platform involving multiples intergovernmental organisations with complementary mandates on artificial intelligence (AI). It brings together the Council of...
Networking session on “Artificial Intelligence and Environment” at the UN IGF 2023
The Secretariat of the CAI organised a networking session on “Artificial Intelligence and Environment” at the United Nations Internet Governance Forum 2023 in Kyoto on 12 October 2023. The session was moderated by Mr Patrick PENNINCKX, the Head of Information Society Department and the panel...
Day 0 event with Deputy Secretary General at the UN IGF 2023
The Secretariat of the CAI organised a Day 0 session at the United Nations Internet Governance Forum 2023 in Kyoto on 8 October 2023. The session was called “Shaping artificial intelligence to ensure respect for human rights and democratic values” and was opened by Deputy Secretary General Bjørn...
European Parliamentary Association learns about the Council of Europe AI policy
Patrick Penninckx, Head of the Council of Europe Information Society Department, took part as a guest speaker in a meeting of the European Parliamentary Association on 14th September, 2023. He presented to MEPs from different political groups the current efforts of the Council of Europe to...
Flemish Parliament examines the Council of Europe approach to Artificial Intelligence
On the 6th of July, the Brussels-based Flemish Parliament is organising a special hearing on AI. Patrick Penninckx, Head of the Information Society Department of the Council of Europe, and Nathalie Smuha, Researcher Faculty of Law, KU Leuven are presenting the current challenges of artificial...
6th Plenary Meeting of the Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI)
On 31 May-2 June the CAI held its 6th Plenary meeting during which it finalised the first reading of the revised Zero Draft of the Framework Convention on AI, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. A webinar on the topic of “AI Sandboxes: striking a balance between regulation and...
Statement of the Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI)
On the occasion of its 6th Plenary meeting held in Strasbourg on 31 May - 2 June 2023, the Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI) adopted a Statement on its work.
Webinar “AI Sandboxes: striking a balance between regulation and innovation”
“Regulatory sandboxes” are closed testing environments in which participating companies can experiment with innovative business models or products with a reduced regulatory burden or expedited regulatory decisions. “Regulatory sandboxes” come in many shapes. The term itself often has various...
Council of Europe AI Policy Development
On April 28, 2023, Patrick Penninckx, Head of Department on information Society, presented the “Council of Europe AI Policy Development” to a group of students from the American School in Athens visiting Strasbourg. He described the challenges brought by technological advancement and the Council...
Webinar “AI and Gender: preventing bias, promoting equality”
While AI can be used to make our daily lives easier and to help solve some of the most pressing societal challenges, research shows unambiguously that AI data sets are ingrained with gender biases. AI can reproduce human prejudice and perpetuate bias, further stigmatising and marginalising women...
Council of Europe AI policy framework presented in the Hague
Latest Council of Europe policy orientation on AI were presented in the Tweede Kamer of the Dutch Parliament Tweede Kamer on 30 March 2023. Patrick Penninckx, Head of the Information Society Department has briefed parliamentarians in the Hague on advancement of the preparation of a legal...
Webinar “AI and Environment: Opportunities and challenges for sustainable development”
AI is improving the ways we live, work and solve problems. It can also help us fight climate change and protect the environment. The technology has the potential to accelerate global efforts to protect the environment and conserve resources by, for example, detecting energy emission reductions,...
Webinar: Managing AI risks: national and International initiatives
AI offers tremendous benefits and also presents real risks such as bias and discrimination, with some of them already materialising as harms to individuals and society. The development of trustworthy AI systems requires to assess impacts and manage AI risks. Global demand is growing for...
The impact of the blockchains for Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law
The impact of the blockchains for Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law” is the title of a new report released by the Information Society Department of the Council of Europe. This report explores the risks and potential benefits of blockchain technology for democracy, human rights and the...
Meeting of the Globalpolicy.AI
On 21 October 2022 the Digital Development Unit of the Council of Europe co-organised a meeting of the Globalpolicy.AI, a cooperation platform involving multiples intergovernmental organisations with complementary mandates on artificial intelligence (AI). It brings together the work of eight...