EU Fights US Proposal on AI Treaty Exemption
The European Commission is taking a firm stance against a proposal led by the United States to exempt the private sector from the upcoming international treaty on Artificial Intelligence, which aims to establish a global framework for AI governance focused on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. This position underscores the EU’s commitment to ensuring broad and inclusive regulations that do not diminish the value of human rights protections in the digital age. The Commission advocates for a treaty that mirrors the comprehensive scope of the EU’s AI Act, which regulates artificial intelligence based on potential harm, including specific provisions for transparency, social scoring bans, and whistleblower protections.
At the heart of the debate is the scope of the convention, with the US favoring an opt-in approach for private sector compliance. The European Commission, however, argues that such a limitation would undermine the treaty’s effectiveness and send a misleading message about the importance of human rights protections in the private sector. The Commission’s stance is rooted in the principle that international law should mandate the respect of human rights by private entities, especially given the societal challenges posed by advanced AI systems.
The Commission also seeks to ensure that the treaty aligns with the EU’s AI Act in terms of applicability to the entire lifecycle of AI systems, excluding only those developed exclusively for national security, military, and defense purposes. This approach reflects the EU’s broader strategy to harmonize digital regulation while addressing specific risks associated with AI technologies.
Furthermore, the EU is pushing for the inclusion of provisions that go beyond the AI Act, such as enhanced protections for whistleblowers, despite opposition from some countries. This initiative highlights the EU’s ambition to establish a robust and comprehensive international framework for AI governance that not only aligns with its internal regulations but also sets a global standard for the ethical development and deployment of AI technologies.
Source: EU prepares to push back on private sector carve-out from international AI treaty – Euractiv
