European Charter for AI Trust and Ethics

Introduction

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) presents unprecedented opportunities but also significant ethical challenges. As AI increasingly influences industries, societies, and human interactions, there is a pressing need to establish a European framework that prioritises transparency, accountability, and ethical AI implementation in alignment with European values and regulations.

This European Charter for AI Trust and Ethics is a voluntary commitment by organisations, institutions, and AI developers who support a responsible and human-centred approach to AI. Signatories pledge to uphold key ethical principles and work collectively towards the implementation of European AI standards that align with the EU AI Act and other regulatory frameworks.

1. Core Principles

Transparency and Explainability

– AI systems should generate comprehensible, interpretable, and explainable decisions to ensure accountability and trust.
– Users and stakeholders must be informed about AI decision-making processes.

Fairness and Non-Discrimination

– AI must not reinforce bias or discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics.
– Regular audits and mechanisms for detecting bias must be applied to AI models.

Privacy and Data Protection

– AI must comply with GDPR and other European data protection regulations.
– Users must have control over their personal data, with clear mechanisms for consent and data deletion.

Human Oversight and Responsibility

– AI systems should never operate without meaningful human oversight, particularly in high-risk applications.
– Organisations must implement governance structures to ensure ethical AI usage.

Security and Robustness

– AI models must be resistant to adversarial attacks, cyber threats, and unintended consequences.
– Security testing and risk mitigation should be embedded in AI development processes.

Sustainability and Societal Impact

– AI should contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and minimise environmental impact.
– The broader social and economic effects of AI should be regularly assessed and addressed.

2. Commitments of Signatories

By signing this charter, organisations agree to:

Actively work towards compliance with ethical AI guidelines and EU legislation.
Align their AI strategies with best practices for ethical AI development.
Support transparency in AI decision-making and data usage.
Collaborate with policymakers, academic institutions, and industry leaders to shape the future of AI in Europe.

3. Optional AI Ethics Think Tank

Signatories may choose to participate in an independent AI Ethics Think Tank, hosted by AI-Congres.com, which will:

Develop policy recommendations for ethical AI governance in Europe.
Publish research, white papers, and reports on AI impact assessments.
Advise European institutions and regulators on AI policy development.
Organise annual AI & Ethics Summits to monitor progress and update best practices.
Participation in the AI Ethics Think Tank is not mandatory but is encouraged for organisations that wish to actively contribute to policy development and ethical AI guidelines in Europe.

4. Next Steps

This charter serves as a first-phase voluntary framework, allowing organisations to align with ethical AI principles while the AI Ethics Think Tank continues to develop policy guidance. A seal of commitment will be provided to signatories who actively contribute to ethical AI development in Europe. Future developments may lead to a recognised European AI Trust Label, based on compliance with a structured certification framework.