The European Parliament recently approved a new law aimed at regulating artificial intelligence (AI) within the region. The AI Act was passed by MEPs following negotiations with member states, receiving 523 votes in favor, with 46 against and 49 abstentions.
The objective of this regulation is to safeguard fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law, and environmental sustainability concerning high-risk AI, while simultaneously fostering innovation and positioning Europe as a frontrunner in the field. The legislation imposes specific obligations on AI based on potential risks, including restrictions on the use of biometric identification systems by law enforcement, as well as prohibiting social scoring and the exploitation of user vulnerabilities through AI manipulation.
The law also necessitates that general-purpose AI systems meet transparency criteria, and any artificially created or manipulated content, such as ‘deepfakes,’ must be clearly identified as such. Once officially approved by the EU Council, the law will come into effect 20 days after its publication in the official Journal, with full enforcement slated for 24 months following its enactment, excluding certain clauses.
This latest development underscores the European Union’s commitment to ensuring AI technologies are utilized responsibly and ethically, with a clear focus on balancing innovation with the protection of individuals’ privacy and fundamental rights. It signifies a significant step towards establishing a comprehensive framework that governs the deployment of AI across various sectors, aiming to promote trust and reliability in AI applications while mitigating potential risks.
