The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence presents a critical challenge to governance, necessitating a robust legal framework to ensure accountability and protect fundamental rights, according to Alain Berset.
Without enforceable laws, AI systems operate without oversight, influencing decisions on loans, employment, and medical treatments. These systems can also impact policing and border control, potentially discriminating based on factors like name, address, or race. The current lack of accountability for AI-driven outcomes highlights the inadequacy of self-regulation and goodwill.
Developing effective AI governance requires laws that can adapt to future technological evolutions, including autonomous AI agents, while safeguarding human interests. Key principles for individuals include the right to know when a machine is making a decision about them, to understand the reasoning behind it, and to have the ability to challenge that decision. These fundamental rights must remain constant despite technological changes.
Progress has been made in establishing international guidelines. The Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI, the first of its kind, provides a foundational treaty. This agreement commits signatory states to developing AI systems that uphold human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. With 21 signatories, including all G7 nations, and its first ratification by the European Union in May 2026, the convention offers a common ground for global discussions, such as those taking place at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.
Berset emphasizes that the rise of AI serves as a crucial test for democratic security, a concept deeply intertwined with rights, institutions, and established laws. The international treaty aims to provide the necessary legal architecture to navigate this evolving landscape.