EU Approves Groundbreaking Law to Regulate Artificial Intelligence
European Union lawmakers have agreed on a landmark law, the AI Act, to regulate artificial intelligence (AI). This significant piece of legislation aims to balance the advancement of AI technology with the need to address associated risks, particularly those that pose threats to people's safety and rights.
The AI Act is seen as one of the first major global laws specifically targeting AI. It categorizes AI applications based on their risk levels, with higher-risk applications facing stricter regulation. Under the new law, some of the riskiest AI uses are outright banned, including systems that exploit vulnerable groups, biometric identification used by law enforcement without proper legislative approval, and AI that employs manipulative techniques.
For AI systems considered to have limited risk, such as chatbots and technologies that generate digital content, the law mandates new transparency requirements. This aspect of the regulation is particularly pertinent in light of the surge in popularity of generative AI technologies, as exemplified by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which has seen widespread use since its launch in November 2022.
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, praised the law for its balanced and human-centric approach, suggesting that it could set a global standard for years to come. Thierry Breton, the EU Commissioner for Internal Market, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the Act's potential to spur innovation in the EU's AI sector.
The widespread impact of AI technology, which extends beyond the tech industry into sectors such as education, art, and media, has been a growing concern. The Act aims to address these concerns by setting clear boundaries for AI applications and ensuring transparency and accountability in its deployment.
This move by the EU marks a critical step in addressing the complexities and ethical considerations surrounding AI technology. It represents an effort to harness the benefits of AI while safeguarding against its potential harms, setting a model that could influence future AI regulation globally.