European Parliament Adopts World's First Artificial Intelligence Law and Will Establish AI Office in EU
On Wednesday, the European Parliament gave final approval to a broad set of EU rules for the governance of artificial intelligence, including systems such as ChatGPT OpenAI. MEPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Artificial Intelligence Act, five years after the regulations were first proposed.
The Artificial Intelligence Law, which is the world's first major set of regulatory rules on artificial intelligence, provides a legal framework for the development and use of artificial intelligence in Europe, calling for greater transparency as well as setting parameters for high-risk artificial intelligence.
European Union officials reached a preliminary agreement in December after 37 hours of debate. The draft law divides technologies into risk categories and highlights what is prohibited when it comes to artificial intelligence, key requirements for the use of high-risk artificial intelligence, and fines. Ultimately, the AI Law aims to balance innovation with fundamental rights.
In its release, the European Parliament listed several examples of high-risk AI, such as "critical infrastructure, education and training, employment, essential private and public services (e.g. healthcare, banking), certain law enforcement systems, migration and border management, justice and democratic processes (e.g. influencing elections)".
The draft law also states that users must be informed when interacting with a chatbot and requires artificial intelligence systems that generate or manipulate text, image, audio or video content (e.g. a deep learning tool) to disclose that the content has been artificially generated or is manipulated.
The Council of the European Union will formally adopt the text by the end of April. The ban on illegal use will be in effect for six months, while general AI rules, including governance, will come into force in early 2025.
The European Parliament also quoted the reaction of several MEPs, including Brando Beniféi, Co-Rapporteur of the Internal Market Committee, who called it "the world's first binding law on artificial intelligence to reduce risks, create opportunities, fight discrimination and ensure transparency".
"Thanks to the parliament, unacceptable AI practices will be banned in Europe, and the rights of workers and citizens will be protected," Benifei continued.
He added that an AI Office will now be established to help companies "start complying with the rules before they come into force".