Abstract

This article examines the potential applicability of the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law to the emerging domain of autonomous shipping. While the Framework Convention may represent a significant milestone in the regulation of artificial intelligence, its impact could be constrained by its discretionary application by State parties to private actors and by broad exceptions concerning research, national security, and defence. Both factors are directly relevant to maritime operations. The study investigates whether, and to what extent, the Framework Convention’s provisions could apply to the activities of autonomous ships, highlighting interpretative challenges and other problematic aspects that may hinder effective implementation. It also considers possible pathways to overcome these limitations, with the aim of promoting coherent and rights-based governance in this rapidly evolving sector.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Autonomous ships, artificial intelligence, and regulatory issues

3. Some reflections on the possible applicability of the Framework Convention to activities carried out by autonomous ships

4. And on a few problematic aspects related to it

5. Looking forward