The European Parliament has just backed the EU’s decision to join a new international AI treaty, led by the Council of Europe. In plain language, it means: how we make sure AI respects people, democracy, and the rule of law.
In this episode, I’ll explain what this treaty is, why the Parliament’s decision matters, and what it could mean for governments, companies, and all of us who live with AI every day.
Last week, members of the European Parliament voted to give the EU the green light to join a new treaty on artificial intelligence. In practice, that means the EU can now go ahead, sign it, and later fully ratify it.
This treaty is called the “Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law.” The name is a mouthful, but the idea is straightforward: countries agree that whenever they develop or use AI, they have to protect people’s fundamental rights and democratic values.
The Parliament’s vote doesn’t bring the treaty into force on its own, but it is a key political step. It shows that the EU wants to be inside the room, not outside, when the rules of global AI governance are being written.
What is this AI treaty?
This is the first legally binding international agreement focused specifically on AI. It’s being developed by the Council of Europe, that’s the human-rights body behind the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights, not an EU institution.
The core message of the treaty is: AI cannot be treated as a free-for-all. Whenever AI systems are designed, trained, deployed, or used, states must make sure they respect three big pillars:
- Human rights
- Democracy
- The rule of law
In practice, that means several things. Countries that sign up commit to:
- Assess and manage the risks of AI systems, especially when they affect people’s rights.
- Ensure that AI systems are transparent and, as far as possible, explainable.
- Put in place oversight, accountability, and ways for people to challenge harmful AI‑driven decisions.
Importantly, this is not just about governments. While the treaty is addressed to states, it also covers situations where private companies build or run AI systems that can impact rights or democratic processes. So, think of automated welfare decisions, predictive policing, algorithmic hiring, deepfakes used in elections – all of these fall within the scope.
How does this relate to the EU AI Act?
You might be asking: hang on, doesn’t the EU already have the AI Act?
Yes, it does, or at least, the AI Act has been agreed and is now moving towards application. The AI Act is a detailed, risk‑based regulation that applies inside the EU single market. It sets out concrete rules for high‑risk systems, bans some uses, and demands strict obligations from developers and deployers.
The new treaty plays a different role. Think of it as a global floor, while the AI Act is the EU’s ceiling.
The treaty sets the minimum that any signatory state must do to keep AI compatible with human rights and democracy. The EU AI Act then goes further, with more detailed and stricter obligations for anyone placing AI on the EU market.
Crucially, the treaty has been drafted in a way that fits with existing EU law. For Brussels, this is not about rewriting the AI Act. It’s about exporting the EU’s human‑centric, risk‑based approach into a broader international setting, so that Europe isn’t an island with one set of values and the rest of the world doing something completely different.
Why this matters beyond Brussels
First, this is the first binding AI treaty that countries beyond the EU can join. It’s open to non‑EU states in the Council of Europe, and potentially even to some countries outside Europe. That means it can become the default baseline for how AI is governed across a much wider region.
Second, it’s part of a bigger story: a race to set the rules of AI at the global level. The US, China, the EU, the UK, the G7, the UN – everyone is trying to shape the narrative. With this treaty, the human‑rights community is saying: “AI governance has to start from rights, democracy and the rule of law, not just from innovation and competition.”
Third, for companies and public bodies working across borders, common principles matter. If more countries sign up, you get a more predictable environment: similar expectations on transparency, accountability, and risk management, rather than a patchwork of completely different national rules.
Of course, the treaty is not a magic wand. How strong it really is will depend on how many states ratify it, how they implement it, and how the monitoring and case law develop over time. But symbolically, it’s a major move: it shows that AI is now firmly on the agenda of hard law, not just soft voluntary principles.
What to watch next
So, what should we watch for in the coming months and years?
First, how many countries actually sign and ratify the treaty, and how quickly? Early ratifications from key European states will tell us whether this becomes a living instrument or just a nice idea on paper.
Second, how this interacts with national security and law enforcement uses of AI. Expect debates on where the treaty draws the lines: for example, around biometric surveillance, policing tools, and AI in migration control.
Third, the practical follow‑up. The Council of Europe has a habit of turning its conventions into living systems, with monitoring bodies, recommendations and guidance. Over time, that could shape how courts and regulators look at AI‑related cases, from discrimination by algorithms to manipulation in elections.
For the EU, this will sit alongside the AI Act, GDPR, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, reinforcing the idea that AI in Europe is not just about innovation, but also about rights and democratic values.
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About the Podcast Host
AI and Communications Specialist | Author | Podcaster | International Speaker
Joanne Sweeney is a recognised leader in digital marketing and digital transformation, specialising in the practical application of AI to enhance communication strategies. The founder of Digital Training Institute, Joanne, empowers leaders and communications professionals to leverage AI responsibly and effectively, ensuring transparency, trust, and tangible results.
She completed the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Programme in AI and Public Policy this summer before launching her fourth book AI Playbook, in September. Joanne has also published two editions of Public Sector Marketing Pro, which were preceded by her first title, Social Media Under Investigation Law Enforcement and the Social Web.
Her books have become go-to resources for governments, public sector and policing agencies, as well as marketing and communications professionals, all navigating the challenges of the changing Internet.
Joanne is the host of the AI SIX Podcast, a daily six-minute podcast that provides actionable insights, expert interviews, and practical advice to help professionals navigate the new world of work.
