On 2 December 2024, the Council of Europe presented the "HUDERIA Methodology". This document provides guidance for both public and private entities to carry out risk and impact assessments for artificial intelligence (AI) systems from the point of view of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The entities are supported in determining the extent to which risk management activities related to human rights, democracy and the rule of law may be called for. HUDERIA offers a methodology for risk and impact identification, assessment, prevention, and mitigation that is applicable to a variety of AI technologies and application contexts. It is also responsive to future developments in AI technologies and applications.

HUDERIA is not binding and not intended as an interpretive aid for the recently adopted Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence (→eucrim 3/2024, 194-196). HUDERIA is meant to complement existing or future frameworks, policies, guidance, standards or tools for conducting AI risk and impact management.

The HUDERIA Methodology follows a socio-technical approach, which views all aspects of the AI system lifecycle as affected by the interconnected relationship of technology, human choices, and social structures. It provides for the creation of a risk mitigation plan to minimise or eliminate the identified risks, protecting the public from potential harm.

HUDERIA was adopted by the Council of Europe's Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI) at the end of November 2024. The HUDERIA Methodology will be complemented by the HUDERIA Model to be adopted in 2025. The Model will provide supporting materials and resources (such as flexible tools relevant for different elements of the HUDERIA process and scalable recommendations) that can aid in the implementation of the HUDERIA Methodology.