21/11/2024 Legal Affairs and Human Rights | Artificial Intelligence
“AI must serve humanity in a fair and ethical manner, in conformity with Council of Europe values and the principles of transparency, accountability, safety and security, The Assembly will continue to engage with all stakeholders to that end, including Council of Europe bodies and other international organisations such as the UN,” said Damien Cottier (Switzerland, ALDE), speaking at the PACE’s Sub-Committee on AI and Human Rights meeting in Geneva on 18-19 November 2024, at the invitation of the Swiss delegation to the PACE.
Mr Cottier, Chairperson of the sub-committee, stressed the importance of the Council of Europe Framework Convention, recalling how the Parliamentary Assembly had been “a driving force behind its elaboration”. He emphasised that the Assembly and its sub-committee “were ready and willing to raise awareness of the Convention, including by promoting its ratification”.
Members held exchanges of views with leading experts in the field of AI, including from the United Nations and its agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Swiss authorities, academia, civil society and technology companies. They also paid a working visit to the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), where they learned about AI at CERN and its Open Quantum Institute.
The meeting focused on the new Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, including on how to promote its ratification, entry into force and global reach. Other topics discussed were the role of the UN in AI governance; AI, armed conflict and security; AI and its impact on democratic processes; the use of AI by parliamentarians and parliaments; and the role and responsibilities of the private sector and of public-private partnerships in this field.
