欧洲委员会与 Microsoft 签署 AI 合作协定

The Council of Europe and Microsoft have signed a cooperation agreement covering AI and responsible technological development. The memorandum of understanding creates a framework for exploring joint work, with any activities subject to mutual agreement and each organisation’s mandate.

The signing took place at the Council of Europe’s headquarters in Strasbourg. Alain Berset, the Council’s Secretary General, signed the memorandum alongside Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft.

Alain Berset, Secretary General at the Council of Europe, said: “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. 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.”

The agreement sets a framework rather than committing the organisations to a defined set of new technology deployments. Its stated purpose includes promoting human rights and democracy through responsible, inclusive technological development. It also covers the rule of law and challenges in the digital environment.

Microsoft’s AI initiatives for positive impact

Potential cooperation includes dialogue through Microsoft’s Open Innovation Centre in Strasbourg. The organisations may also share knowledge and good practices on responsible technological development, including approaches intended to make that development inclusive.

Language is another area identified for possible work. The memorandum allows for support for initiatives promoting linguistic and cultural diversity, including regional or minority languages. These remain prospective areas of cooperation, subject to agreement between the parties.

Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President at Microsoft, said: “AI is creating extraordinary opportunities, but its success will ultimately be measured by how well it serves people. 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.”

The memorandum will further develop existing cooperation on projects such as the Register of Damage for Ukraine. Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab already supports that project’s vital damage assessment work.

The organisations have previously cooperated on cybercrime. Microsoft has supported the Council of Europe’s Budapest Convention on Cybercrime through the Council’s Global Project on Cybercrime and the Cybercrime Octopus project.

That previous work aims to help countries implement the treaty while also seeking to strengthen data protection and rule-of-law safeguards.

See also: CyberDSA 2026 opens with Malaysia’s call for secure AI adoption

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is part of TechEx and is co-located with other leading technology events including IoT Tech Expo and the Cyber Security & Cloud Expo. Click here for more information.

AI News is powered by TechForge Media. Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars here.