A new international agreement, which is the first legally-binding treaty governing the safe use of artificial intelligence (AI), has been signed by the UK’s lord chancellor Shabana Mahmood today.

The new convention, agreed by the Council of Europe, commits parties to collective action on managing AI products and protecting the public from misuse and risks.

While AI brings significant benefits across myriad sectors, the new agreement includes safeguards against its risks, such as the spread of misinformation and using biased data which may prejudice decisions.

The treaty also tasks countries with monitoring development and ensuring any technology is managed with strict parameters. It includes provisions to protect the public and data, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

The UK government said that, once the treaty is ratified and brought into effect here, existing laws and measures will be enhanced—such as with the Online Safety Act and tackling the risk of AI using biased data and producing unfair outcomes.

As the first legally-binding international treaty on AI, the new convention aims for a global united front for managing the dangers of technology. Countries outwith the Council of Europe are also being invited to become signatories, including the United States of America and Australia.

Speaking on the landmark agreement, lord chancellor and justice secretary Shabana Mahmood herself said: “Artificial Intelligence has the capacity to radically improve the responsiveness and effectiveness of public services, and turbocharge economic growth.

“However, we must not let AI shape us – we must shape AI.

“This convention is a major step to ensuring that these new technologies can be harnessed without eroding our oldest values, like human rights and the rule of law.”

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Peter Kyle, secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, further added: “AI holds the potential to be the driving force behind new economic growth, a productivity revolution and true transformation in our public services, but that ambition can only be achieved if people have faith and trust in the innovations which will bring about that change.

“The convention we’ve signed today alongside global partners will be key to that effort. Once in force, it will further enhance protections for human rights, rule of law and democracy – strengthening our own domestic approach to the technology while furthering the global cause of safe, secure, and responsible AI.”

The announcement of the treaty’s signing comes not long after the 2024 King’s Speech. In the speech, the new Labour government confirmed plans to introduce highly-targeted legislation which will focus on the most powerful AI models being developed, known as foundation models.