After two years in development, the European Parliament has passed the EU AI Act, a groundbreaking legislative framework for the governance and oversight of artificial intelligence technologies in the European Union. This will mark the world’s first policies on AI.
EU AI Act Passed With Overwhelming Majority
Following the parliamentary vote on June 14th, the measure secured majority support for the proposed act with 499 votes in favor, 28 against, and 93 abstentions. However, before the EU AI Act can become law, further negotiations will be required to address any concerns and finalize the details with members of the European Parliament.
The EU AI Act is the most significant global effort to establish ethical and technical guidelines for the use of AI. It will classify AI into four categories based on the level of risk posed by the technology. The categories range from “unacceptable risk” for AI that may pose a significant threat to human rights to “minimal risk” for low-level AI applications.
Act Aims to Regulate AI Products and Services
The act aims to regulate AI products and services in the EU by introducing a risk-based approach that will prohibit certain types of artificial intelligence services and products while limiting or placing restrictions on others. It specifically bans biometric surveillance, social scoring systems, predictive policing, and any AI technology that creates deep fakes, among others.
These technologies are considered “unacceptable risks” as they have the potential to infringe on the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals. The EU AI Act seeks to protect these rights and freedoms while promoting innovation and competition in the AI industry.
Furthermore, the act will require AI developers and providers to adhere to a set of transparency requirements, ensuring that users are informed when they are interacting with AI systems. Companies must also provide detailed explanations of AI processes and decisions made by their systems.
While some industry experts have raised concerns about stifling innovation, the EU AI Act has been praised for its progressive approach to AI governance. By implementing transparent and accountable guidelines for AI development and deployment, it promotes the responsible use of technology to benefit society as a whole.
