As AI use balloons, Canada signs international, legally binding human rights treaty
Canada, along with Japan, is the latest signatory on the world’s first international, legally binding treaty on artificial intelligence and human rights.
This move “advances Canada’s vision for a rights-respecting, law-abiding, and inclusive approach to the global governance of AI,” according to a press release from Global Affairs Canada.
The framework applies to private actors and public bodies – and the private actors that act on behalf of public authorities as well. It states that AI systems must comply with principles like human dignity, equality and non-discrimination, privacy and data protection, transparency and oversight.
The framework convention “aims to fill any legal gaps that may result from rapid technological advances.” However, “in order to stand the test of time, the Framework Convention does not regulate technology and is essentially technology-neutral.”
In Canada, legislation that would govern private companies’ use of AI is currently on pause as parliament is prorogued. For federal public sector bodies, the government continues to carry out consultations on where and how can best be applied.
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