Under the leadership of Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Gila Gamliel, Israel has signed the first international treaty on artificial intelligence (AI), joining the United States, the United Kingdom, the EU and other countries. This groundbreaking treaty, developed within the Council of Europe, establishes rules and obligations for the responsible use of AI, with a focus on safeguarding human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The treaty primarily applies to public sector uses of AI, though it also requires member states to address the risks stemming from private sector uses as well. Anchored in principles such as human dignity, transparency, accountability, and non-discrimination, the treaty mandates the establishment of effective mechanisms for remedying human rights violations and for assessing and mitigating AI risks.
Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology Gila Gamliel stated: "Israel's signing of the world's first AI treaty underscores our commitment to responsible innovation and the values of human rights. By signing this treaty today, Israel reinforces its commitment to taking a meaningful role in shaping global AI policy in the coming years, along with other leading countries. I extend my sincere gratitude to Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz for his invaluable cooperation and support in advancing Israel's leading position in this field. "
After two years of intense negotiations, during which Israeli representatives actively participated in drafting the first international AI treaty, Israel is proud to join the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and its member states, and other Council of Europe member states, in signing the Council of Europe's Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday, September 5, 2024, in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Representing Israel at the official ceremony was Israel's Ambassador to Lithuania, Hadas Wittenberg Silverstein.
Israel participated as an "observer state" in the negotiations, and played a significant and positive role in shaping the treaty. The final text strikes a delicate balance between promoting innovation and maintaining responsibility and commitment to human rights. The treaty will serve as a foundation for international policy discussions in the coming years and marks a significant milestone in global innovation policy.
The negotiation team consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice (the Department of International Law and the Department of Economic Law in the Attorney General's Office, the Israel Innovation Authority, and the Israel Digital Agency. They collaborated with Council of Europe member states, observer states and observer organizations, working to ensure that the final text reflects Israel's interests and positions. .
Following the completion of negotiations, the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, responsible for representing Israel in international civilian AI forums led a the steering committee, in collaboration with relevant government entities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and the National Security Council. Further to its recommendations, Minister Gila Gamliel, authorized and spearheaded Israel's signing of the treaty.
Key Provisions of the Treaty:
The treaty aims to promote the responsible use of AI and address the growing concerns, within the international community, regarding the risks to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law posed by AI systems.
• The treaty mainly applies to AI systems used in the public sector; however, it also requires member states to address the risks identified by the treaty that arise in private sector uses of AI . It does not apply to national defense, national security and certain stages of research and development.
• The treaty imposes general obligations on countries concerning AI, requiring them to take steps to protect and uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law, in accordance with international and national law.
• The treaty requires member states to take steps so that the development and use of AI systems by public authorities comply with and mindful of certain key principles and rights: human dignity and individual autonomy, transparency and oversight, accountability and responsibility, equality and non-discrimination, privacy and data protection, reliability, security, and safety .
• The treaty also requires the establishment of mechanisms to provide remedies in cases of human rights violations resulting from AI systems, including procedural protections such as a formal complaint process to competent authorities, documentation and notification requirements about AI interactions, and the right to appeal where appropriate.
• Finally, the treaty requires countries to identify, assess, prevent, and mitigate risks posed by AI systems, based on a risk assessment that considers the practical and potential implications for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Accordingly, countries must adopt various and graduated measures to address these risks and make them publicly known.
• The various obligations are drafted in a way the enables their graded, and differential application, based on the circumstances and context of particular needs and applications. This modular approach was crucial for Israel and other countries.
The Framework Convention was adopted by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on 17 May 2024. The 46 Council of Europe member states, the European Union and 11 non-member states (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, the Holy See, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Peru, the United States of America and Uruguay) negotiated the treaty. Representatives of the private sector, civil society and academia contributed as observers.
Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology Gila Gamliel stated: "Israel's signing of the world's first AI treaty underscores our commitment to responsible innovation and the values of human rights. By signing this treaty today, Israel reinforces its commitment to taking a meaningful role in shaping global AI policy in the coming years, along with other leading countries. I extend my sincere gratitude to Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz for his invaluable cooperation and support in advancing Israel's leading position in this field. "
After two years of intense negotiations, during which Israeli representatives actively participated in drafting the first international AI treaty, Israel is proud to join the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and its member states, and other Council of Europe member states, in signing the Council of Europe's Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday, September 5, 2024, in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Representing Israel at the official ceremony was Israel's Ambassador to Lithuania, Hadas Wittenberg Silverstein.
Israel participated as an "observer state" in the negotiations, and played a significant and positive role in shaping the treaty. The final text strikes a delicate balance between promoting innovation and maintaining responsibility and commitment to human rights. The treaty will serve as a foundation for international policy discussions in the coming years and marks a significant milestone in global innovation policy.
The negotiation team consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice (the Department of International Law and the Department of Economic Law in the Attorney General's Office, the Israel Innovation Authority, and the Israel Digital Agency. They collaborated with Council of Europe member states, observer states and observer organizations, working to ensure that the final text reflects Israel's interests and positions. .
Following the completion of negotiations, the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, responsible for representing Israel in international civilian AI forums led a the steering committee, in collaboration with relevant government entities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and the National Security Council. Further to its recommendations, Minister Gila Gamliel, authorized and spearheaded Israel's signing of the treaty.
Key Provisions of the Treaty:
The treaty aims to promote the responsible use of AI and address the growing concerns, within the international community, regarding the risks to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law posed by AI systems.
• The treaty mainly applies to AI systems used in the public sector; however, it also requires member states to address the risks identified by the treaty that arise in private sector uses of AI . It does not apply to national defense, national security and certain stages of research and development.
• The treaty imposes general obligations on countries concerning AI, requiring them to take steps to protect and uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law, in accordance with international and national law.
• The treaty requires member states to take steps so that the development and use of AI systems by public authorities comply with and mindful of certain key principles and rights: human dignity and individual autonomy, transparency and oversight, accountability and responsibility, equality and non-discrimination, privacy and data protection, reliability, security, and safety .
• The treaty also requires the establishment of mechanisms to provide remedies in cases of human rights violations resulting from AI systems, including procedural protections such as a formal complaint process to competent authorities, documentation and notification requirements about AI interactions, and the right to appeal where appropriate.
• Finally, the treaty requires countries to identify, assess, prevent, and mitigate risks posed by AI systems, based on a risk assessment that considers the practical and potential implications for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Accordingly, countries must adopt various and graduated measures to address these risks and make them publicly known.
• The various obligations are drafted in a way the enables their graded, and differential application, based on the circumstances and context of particular needs and applications. This modular approach was crucial for Israel and other countries.
The Framework Convention was adopted by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on 17 May 2024. The 46 Council of Europe member states, the European Union and 11 non-member states (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, the Holy See, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Peru, the United States of America and Uruguay) negotiated the treaty. Representatives of the private sector, civil society and academia contributed as observers.