The AI Constitutional Convention: A Standing Multilateral Forum for Living AI Governance
Description
Establish a permanent multilateral forum — the AI Constitutional Convention (ACC) — modeled on COP structure but with binding commitments and enforcement teeth. The ACC meets annually, staffed by 200 independent technical experts.
Key innovations: (1) Algorithmic legitimacy requirements — major AI systems above a capability threshold must receive ACC certification before deployment in member states; (2) Graduated sanctions authority starting with market access restrictions; (3) Citizen Chamber with 50 randomly selected citizens from each member state; (4) 5-year sunset clauses on all provisions forcing periodic re-ratification.
Initial mandate focuses exclusively on three red lines: CBRN assistance capabilities, critical infrastructure attack capabilities, and mass population manipulation. This narrow initial mandate maximizes ratification probability while establishing institutional infrastructure for broader governance.
Implementation Pathway
Treaty Negotiation
- • Draft ACC treaty text
- • G20+ founding conference
- • Neutral host nation selected
- • Secretariat structure agreed
Institution Building
- • Secretariat staffed with 200 technical experts
- • Capability threshold standards published
- • Citizen Chamber protocols established
- • 5 volunteer AI systems pilot certification
Mandatory Enforcement
- • 40+ nation ratification
- • First mandatory certification cycle
- • Sanctions authority activated
- • Annual ACC summit operational
