Source: Council of Europe

Council of Europe reports on a keynote address delivered by the Deputy Secretary General at a high-level conference in Strasbourg on December 12, 2025. The speech focused on the escalating risks artificial intelligence poses to the integrity of democratic institutions, specifically highlighting the dangers of generative AI in producing hyper-realistic deepfakes and automated disinformation campaigns tailored to manipulate voter behavior. The Deputy Secretary General emphasized that while technology offers immense benefits, its unregulated use threatens the very fabric of public trust and the rule of law.

During the address, significant attention was drawn to the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. The official urged member states and global partners to accelerate the ratification and implementation of this treaty, describing it as the first legally binding international instrument designed to ensure that AI systems are fully consistent with human rights standards. The speech concluded with a call for a unified approach to governance that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the protection of individual freedoms against algorithmic bias and manipulation.