Europe is on the brink of making history in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. On Wednesday, the continent edged closer to adopting the world’s inaugural AI-specific rules, a significant step considering the rapid proliferation of AI technologies in various sectors and daily life. This momentous development followed the EU lawmakers’ endorsement of a provisional agreement, a process that has been three years in the making.
The AI Act, as it is known, is particularly pertinent in the context of the rising popularity of generative AI systems. Notable examples include Microsoft-backed OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s chatbot Gemini. The increasing prevalence of such technologies has sparked widespread concerns regarding misinformation and the proliferation of fake news.
The legislation targets the regulation of high-impact, general-purpose AI models and high-risk AI systems. These technologies will be required to adhere to specific transparency obligations and comply with EU copyright laws. A crucial aspect of the Act involves restricting governments’ use of real-time biometric surveillance in public spaces. The restrictions apply unless such surveillance is for addressing specific crimes, preventing genuine threats like terrorist attacks, or finding individuals suspected of severe criminal activities.
EU industry chief Thierry Breton lauded the European Parliament’s overwhelming support for the EU AI Act, stating, “Europe is now a global standard-setter in trustworthy AI.”
The legislation saw a favorable vote from 523 EU lawmakers, with 46 opposing and 49 abstaining. Formal approval from EU countries is anticipated in May, with the law expected to take effect early next year and be fully applicable by 2026. However, some provisions will be implemented sooner.
Patrick Van Eecke, a partner at law firm Cooley, commented on the landmark nature of this regulation, suggesting that the European Union has set a benchmark that the rest of the world might follow, similar to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Despite the positive reception, some concerns have been raised about the potential administrative burdens for companies. BusinessEurope, a lobbying group, expressed apprehension about the law’s interpretation and the necessity for extensive secondary legislation and guidelines, which are critical for making investment decisions.
In response to the vote, an Amazon spokesperson, representing a company that recently introduced a new AI assistant, welcomed the development and emphasized Amazon’s commitment to the safe, responsible, and secure development of AI technology. Conversely, Meta Platforms, while recognizing AI’s potential to foster European innovation, cautioned against any measures that might hinder innovation.
Marco Pancini, Meta’s head of EU affairs, stressed the importance of maintaining openness to ensure that the true potential of AI is harnessed to promote innovation and competition in Europe.
As Europe stands on the cusp of enacting these pioneering AI regulations, the global community watches closely. The legislation not only addresses immediate challenges related to AI but also sets a precedent for how nations around the world might govern this rapidly evolving technology.
