The European Union has officially approved groundbreaking legislation on artificial intelligence (AI), marking a historic day for the region. The AI Act, the first of its kind globally, aims to ensure human-centric, innovative, and safe AI for EU citizens and businesses.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Telecommunications, Petra De Sutter, expressed the significance of this milestone, emphasizing the focus on a risk-based approach in regulating AI. The act will categorize different AI systems based on the risks they pose, with stricter rules for higher-risk applications.
To enforce the AI Act, governing bodies such as an AI office, scientific panel, AI board, and advisory forum for stakeholders have been established. The legislation will also address the use of general-purpose AI models.
The European Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the AI Act in December 2023, with the official passage in Parliament earlier this year. Tuesday’s approval was the final step in making the AI Act law, harmonizing rules on artificial intelligence across the EU.
The AI Act is set to improve the internal market by establishing a uniform legal framework for AI systems, providing protections for individuals’ health, safety, and fundamental rights. It ensures compliance with key EU legislations, including the Treaty on European Union and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Belgian Secretary of State for Digitization, Mathieu Michel, highlighted the significance of the AI Act in addressing global technological challenges and creating opportunities for European societies and economies. This landmark legislation sets a precedent for regulating AI worldwide.
