Breaking news! The first-ever international AI treaty has been signed! Wait, what?
In case you missed it, major players on the world stage, namely: EU, UK, and the US, have signed the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence. Drafted by the Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI) and negotiated by 57 countries alongside 70 representatives from civil society, this treaty is a landmark step in setting global standards for AI. It is the first-ever internationally legally binding treaty aimed at ensuring that the use of AI systems is fully consistent with human rights, democracy, and rule of law.
Let’s go over some key points from the Framework Convention:
- This is a legally binding framework that aims to establish global minimum standards for AI safety
- It seeks to promote innovation while also managing risks and protecting human rights
- Requires risk and impact assessments, prevention and mitigation measures
- It focuses on data protection and transparency
What Does The International AI Treaty Mean for Teachers, Professors, Institutions, and Curriculum Leaders?
While the Framework Convention paints in broad strokes rather than specific regulations and compliance measures, it sets an overall principle-based framework that educational institutions would need to operate within when developing, adopting, or using AI technologies.
These guidelines will shape policies, practices, and the overall approach to AI in education. Let’s explore 10 key ways this framework could impact education:
1. Ethical guidelines
The Convention’s emphasis on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law would require schools to:
- Develop comprehensive AI ethics policies
- Ensure AI systems don’t infringe on students’ rights or autonomy
- Use AI in ways that promote democratic values and equal access to education
- Review and update AI practices periodically to align with ethical standards
2. Risk assessment
To comply with the Convention’s risk assessment requirements, schools and universities would need to:
- Implement formal AI risk assessment processes
- Identify potential risks of AI use in areas like admissions, grading, and student support
- Develop mitigation strategies for identified risks
- Regularly update risk assessments as AI technologies evolve
3. Transparency
Requirements for transparency around how AI is being used in educational settings would increase, including:
- Clear communication to students and parents about how AI is used in education
- Explanations of AI-driven decision-making processes in admissions or academic evaluations
- Regular reports on AI use and its impacts within the institution
- Open forums for stakeholders to discuss and provide input on AI initiatives
4. Data protection
The Convention’s focus on privacy and data protection would impact how student data is collected, used, and protected when employing AI tools, causing:
- Robust data protection policies for student information used in AI systems
- Secure storage and transmission of data used for AI applications
- Clear consent processes for data collection and use
- Regular audits of data handling practices
5. AI literacy
There may be a greater push for educators to teach AI literacy and ethics to students as part of preparing them to engage with AI responsibly. Therefore, educators would need to:
- Integrate AI literacy into the curriculum across multiple disciplines
- Develop courses focused on AI ethics and responsible use
- Provide hands-on experiences with AI tools and their implications
- Encourage critical thinking about the societal impacts of AI
6. Research guidelines
For universities conducting AI research, the Convention could influence research practices and ethics protocols, leading to:
- Updated ethics review processes for AI-related research
- New guidelines for responsible AI development in academic settings
- Increased focus on the societal implications of AI research
- Greater emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to AI studies
7. International collaboration
The Convention aims to promote international cooperation on AI governance, which could facilitate more global collaboration, like:
- Cross-border research projects on AI in education
- Increased sharing of best practices for AI use in schools
- Development of international standards for educational AI
- Global student exchange programs focused on AI and ethics
8. Accessibility
To ensure AI tools are accessible to all students, institutions might need to:
- Develop or procure AI systems designed for universal access
- Provide alternative formats or approaches for students who can’t use certain AI tools
- Conduct regular accessibility audits of AI-driven educational technologies
- Involve diverse student populations in the design and testing of AI systems
9. Monitoring and evaluation
Schools may need to implement systems to monitor the impacts of AI use and evaluate its alignment with the Convention’s principles. Systems could include:
- Regular assessments of AI system performance and impacts
- Feedback mechanisms for students and staff to report AI-related concerns
- Periodic reviews of AI use against ethical and legal standards
- Adjustments to AI systems based on ongoing evaluation results
10. Professional development
To ensure compliance with the Convention, educators would likely need:
- Training programs on AI ethics and responsible use
- Workshops on integrating AI into teaching practices ethically
- Guidance on recognizing and addressing potential AI biases
- Ongoing education about evolving AI technologies and their implications
The Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence is a monumental step in shaping how AI is used across various sectors, and education is no exception. As schools and universities prepare to navigate this new landscape, the focus on ethics, transparency, and AI literacy will be critical.
By ensuring AI systems are used responsibly, and that educators and students alike are well-equipped to engage with these tools, the treaty provides an opportunity to enhance—not replace—the human element in education.
