North Macedonia Signs Europe’s AI and Human Rights Convention
By Suad Seferi ·
North Macedonia has signed the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, joining a growing group of countries that are committing to a human-rights-based approach to AI governance. The signing took place in Skopje on 8 May 2026 during the visit of Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset. The convention is considered the first international legally binding treaty focused specifically on artificial intelligence. For North Macedonia, the move is important because it connects the country’s AI development with European principles of democracy, accountability and protection of citizens’ rights. As AI becomes more present in public services, business, education, healthcare and security, governments are under increasing pressure to create rules that prevent misuse. The convention aims to ensure that AI systems are developed and used in ways that respect human rights, democratic institutions and the rule of law. This means that artificial intelligence should not be used in ways that create discrimination, violate privacy, weaken public trust or remove human responsibility from important decisions. North Macedonia’s signature sends a message that the country wants to align with European standards as it develops its own AI ecosystem. This is especially relevant because the country is also pursuing closer integration with the European Union and is working to modernize its digital institutions. The convention is not only about technology. It is about the impact technology can have on people. AI systems can influence access to jobs, public services, education, financial opportunities and justice. If such systems are not transparent or properly supervised, they can create serious risks for citizens. By joining the convention, North Macedonia accepts the principle that artificial intelligence must remain under democratic control. This means that public institutions using AI should be accountable, citizens should have protection from harmful systems and decision-making processes should not become hidden behind algorithms. The signing is also important for the public sector. Governments are increasingly interested in using AI to improve administration, reduce delays and analyze data. But AI in public administration must be introduced carefully because public institutions handle sensitive information and decisions that directly affect citizens. The convention also has implications for businesses and developers. Companies working with AI will increasingly need to consider transparency, fairness, data protection and risk management. This may create new responsibilities, but it can also help build trust in local AI products and services. For North Macedonia, the challenge now is implementation. Signing the convention is only the first step. The country will need national laws, institutional capacity, technical expertise and oversight mechanisms to turn the principles of the convention into real practice. This may require cooperation between ministries, regulators, universities, civil society and the private sector. AI governance cannot be handled only by one institution because the technology affects many areas of society. The signing also complements the creation of VEZILKA, the country’s first national AI center. Together, these developments show two sides of North Macedonia’s AI agenda: building capacity for innovation while also accepting responsibility for safe and ethical use. North Macedonia’s participation in the Council of Europe AI Convention places the country within a broader European effort to make artificial intelligence trustworthy. As the technology becomes more powerful, countries will be judged not only by how quickly they adopt AI, but also by how responsibly they manage it. The next stage will be crucial. North Macedonia now has to show that its commitment to ethical AI can move from international signatures to national rules, institutional action and real protection for citizens.