Whilst the EU’s AI Act has been grabbing all the headlines, the draft AI Convention has been flying under the radar. But not for much longer.

The Convention, also sometimes called the ‘AI Treaty’, has been drafted by the Council of Europe. If adopted, it will be the first legally binding international convention on AI. The latest draft is not the final version, but contains text that is still subject to negotiation.

We’ve set out our top five talking points on the draft Convention below:

  1. Who does the Convention apply to? It will apply to all signatories to the Convention which are expected to include most of the Council of Europe’s 46 member states, in particular EU Member States and the UK. Each party will need to adopt measures (including legislation where appropriate) to give effect to the Convention.
  2. Scope of the Convention: Whilst it is clear that the Convention applies to AI systems that have the potential to interfere with human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, some aspects of its scope are still subject to debate. This includes whether the Convention should apply to research and development, or to systems that protect essential national security interests (such as foreign intelligence and counter-intelligence activities).
  3. Common principles: Chapter III sets out general common principles that each party will need to incorporate in the lifecycle of AI systems in a manner appropriate to its domestic legal system. These principles will be familiar to those already working on AI governance projects, and include: human dignity and individual autonomy; transparency and oversight; accountability and responsibility; equality and non-discrimination; privacy and personal data protection; preservation of health and the environment; reliability and trust; and safe innovation.
  4. Remedies: Each party will need to take measures to ensure the availability of accessible and effective remedies for violations of human rights resulting from the activities within the lifecycle of AI systems. This includes measures to ensure that certain AI systems are properly documented, and that appropriate information is recorded, provided to bodies authorised in with domestic law to access that information and, where appropriate, made available or communicated to affected persons.
  5. What’s next? This latest draft reflects the second reading of the draft Convention on AI. It will serve as the basis for the third and final reading (date to be confirmed).

There are many questions that are yet to be debated further or defined, for example, around the synergy between this Convention and other AI legislation, notably the EU AI Act. There also appears to be more discussion to be had around the scope, with some commentary that the Convention is too wide, yet others suggest it should be narrowed, for example, by not applying to public sector organisations. So, lots to still discuss and clarify however definitely a case of ‘watch this space’!

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Jaspreet is a Senior Associate, and advises clients on complex issues at the intersection of healthcare, data and technology. Her practice has a particular focus on accessing and using patient data, innovative collaborations with hospitals, and the use and regulation of AI in the healthcare space.

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Francesca Gaudino is the Head of Baker McKenzie’s Information Technology & Communications Group in Milan. She focuses on data protection and security, advising particularly on legal issues that arise in the use of cutting edge technology.

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Vin leads our London Data Privacy practice and is also a member of our Global Privacy & Security Leadership team bringing his vast experience in this specialist area for over 22 years, advising clients from various data-rich sectors including retail, financial services/fin-tech, life sciences, healthcare, proptech and technology platforms.

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José María Méndez es socio responsable del área de Propiedad Intelectual y Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicaciones de Baker & McKenzie Madrid. Anteriormente, fue socio del área de Propiedad Intelectual en un despacho internacional, así como secretario general adjunto de Sogecable y director de la asesoría jurídica del área de cinematografía y televisión. Participa con frecuencia en actividades sin ánimo de lucro de organizaciones como Caritas Diocesanas y Aldeas Infantiles. Asimismo, imparte clases en el Máster de Propiedad Intelectual de la Universidad Carlos III.

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Sue is a Partner in our Technology practice in London. Sue specialises in major technology deals including cloud, outsourcing, digital transformation and development and licensing. She also advises on a range of legal and regulatory issues relating to the development and roll-out of new technologies including AI, blockchain/DLT, metaverse and crypto-assets.

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Ben works with clients on matters involving the cross-over space of media, IP and technology. His practice has a particular focus on artificial intelligence, data protection, copyright and technology disputes. He has a particular expertise in intermediary liability issues.

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Dr. Lukas Feiler, SSCP, CIPP/E, has more than eight years of experience in IP/IT and is a partner and head of the IP and IT team at Baker McKenzie • Diwok Hermann Petsche Rechtsanwälte LLP & Co KG in Vienna. He is a lecturer for data protection law at the University of Vienna Law School and for IT compliance at the University of Applied Science Wiener Neustadt.

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Elisabeth is a partner in Baker McKenzie's Brussels office. She advises clients in all fields of IT, IP and new technology law, with a special focus on data protection and privacy aspects. She regularly works with companies in the healthcare, finance and transport and logistics sectors.

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Florian Tannen is a partner in the Munich office of Baker McKenzie. He advises on all areas of contentious and non-contentious information technology law, including internet, computer/software and data privacy law.

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Eva-Maria Strobel is a partner in Baker McKenzie's Zurich office. She is a member in the Firm's global IPTech Practice Group, chairs the EMEA IPTech Practice Group and heads the Swiss IPTech team. focuses on the development of intellectual property strategies to procure, protect and commercialize her domestic and multinational client's intangible assets and to grow the return on investment.