The Council of Europe and Microsoft have signed a framework agreement to work together on promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the development and use of AI.

The memorandum of understanding, signed in Strasbourg by Council of Europe secretary general Alain Berset and Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith, sets out plans for the organisations to cooperate on responsible and inclusive technology development, as well as wider digital policy issues.

Under the agreement, the two organisations will explore areas for collaboration, including dialogue through Microsoft's Open Innovation Centre in Strasbourg, sharing knowledge and best practice on AI, and supporting projects that promote linguistic and cultural diversity, including regional and minority languages.

The partnership will also build on existing work between the organisations, including Microsoft's support for the Council of Europe's Register of Damage for Ukraine. Microsoft's AI for Good Lab is helping the project assess damage using AI and satellite imagery.

The agreement also strengthens collaboration on tackling cybercrime. Microsoft has previously supported the Council of Europe's Budapest Convention on Cybercrime through initiatives aimed at helping countries implement the treaty while strengthening data protection and rule-of-law safeguards.

“Disregard for international law has caused the rupture in the world order. AI is arriving in the middle of that rupture, with force taking the place of shared rules,” Berset said. No technology has ever needed these rules more, since AI moves faster than our democratic safeguards.

“Working with business must be a priority to address the challenges. With partners like Microsoft, the Council of Europe can make this transformation responsible.”

“AI is creating extraordinary opportunities, but its success will ultimately be measured by how well it serves people,” said Smith. “Our partnership with the Council of Europe is putting that principle into practice, helping ensure that innovation remains grounded in human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.”

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