Council of Europe and Microsoft Partner on AI and Human Rights

The Council of Europe and Microsoft have formalized a partnership to advance human rights in the era of artificial intelligence. The agreement, signed by Secretary General Alain Berset and Microsoft's Brad Smith, aims to ensure that AI development aligns with principles of democracy, rule of law, and responsible innovation.

Berset emphasized the urgency of the collaboration, stating that AI's rapid evolution outpaces current democratic safeguards. Smith highlighted Microsoft's commitment to ensuring AI serves people while respecting human rights and legal frameworks.

The framework will foster cooperation in areas like dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and promoting linguistic diversity. It builds on past collaborations, including Microsoft's support for the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and the Register of Damage for Ukraine project.

Both organizations will explore joint initiatives through Microsoft's Open Innovation Centre in Strasbourg, reinforcing their commitment to addressing digital challenges responsibly.