Council of Europe CAHAI Approves AI Governance Feasibility Study — December 17, 2021
The Council of Europe’s Ad Hoc Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAHAI) adopted a feasibility study recommending a legally binding framework and complementary soft-law tools for trustworthy AI across member states.
After two years of consultations, CAHAI members endorsed a blueprint for a Council of Europe convention covering human rights, democracy, and rule-of-law protections in AI deployment. The study proposes obligations for transparency, accountability, and risk assessments, alongside capacity-building support for national authorities.
- Legally binding instrument. CAHAI recommended negotiating a convention that establishes common principles, oversight mechanisms, and remedies for AI harms.
- Complementary guidance. The blueprint calls for non-binding tools, including model policies and certification schemes, to support implementation across diverse legal systems.
- Inclusive governance. The study emphasises multi-stakeholder participation, international cooperation, and regular reviews to keep pace with technological change.
European compliance teams should track the follow-on Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI) negotiations translating the feasibility study into a binding convention.