Extra-mural meeting of the Sub-Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights in Geneva

The Sub-Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) held a meeting in Switzerland for the first time. Chaired by National Council member Damien Cottier, the sub-committee met in Geneva to discuss the various implications of AI for democracy, security and armed conflict.

The PACE Sub-Committee on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Human Rights met on 18 and 19 November in Switzerland to discuss the various areas of human rights influenced by developments in AI. National Council member Damien Cottier (FDP, NE) has chaired the sub-committee since 25 January.

Members had the opportunity to discuss the promotion of the new Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and human rights, democracy and the rule of law of 5 September 2024. This framework convention, which represents the world’s first comprehensive regulation on AI, is also the first legally binding international instrument on the subject. It currently has 11 signatories, including the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom.

The sub-committee also looked at the role of the United Nations in the governance of AI. It held discussions with experts from the United Nations, the International Telecommunication Union and UNESCO. The links between AI, armed conflict and security were the subject of another debate, during which the parliamentarians heard from experts from the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research. The national dimension in particular was highlighted during the debate on the impact of AI on democratic processes. The sub-committee heard from experts from the Swiss government, including Andrin Eichin from the Federal Office of Communications, as well as Alexander Barclay, the cantonal delegate for digital policy in Geneva, and representatives of civil society led by AlgorithmWatch. Alexis Favre, presenter of the RTS programme Infrarouge, moderated a round table discussion on the role of AI in public debate and parliamentary work, with participants including National Council members Céline Amaudruz (SVP, GE) and Samuel Bendahan (SP, VD), as well as a representative from the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The meeting concluded with a debate on the role and responsibility of the private sector in handling AI.

The meeting was opened by Carole-Anne Kast, member of the Cantonal Council of Geneva responsible for the department of public institutions and digital affairs. The Council of Europe's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Sylvie Bollini, also addressed a few words to the participants.

The meeting was rounded off by two visits: one to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and another to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. CERN was founded after the Second World War with the aim of creating a united scientific force in Europe. During the visit, the collaborative ‘Open Quantum Institute’, which aims to advance the UN sustainability strategy through the ‘Quantum for good’ project, was one of the themes discussed. During the two cultural visits, the members of the sub-committee had the opportunity to learn more about humanitarian action and the link between technology and society.

Extra-mural meeting of the Sub-Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights in Geneva

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