In a landmark move with far-reaching implications, the European Union has reached a historic agreement on the world's first comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. This ambitious legislation, dubbed the "AI Act," paves the way for ethical and responsible AI development while minimizing the potential risks of this transformative technology.
AI Act
The EU was ahead of the game when it released its initial AI rulebook in 2021, but the rise of generative AI caused officials to update their proposal.
The Commission has been fostering cooperation on AI to boost competitiveness and ensure trust based on EU values. The White Paper on AI, published in 2020, set out a vision for an ecosystem of excellence and trust, leading to today's political agreement. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) has played a vital role in shaping the AI Act, including risk classification, terminology, and technical requirements.
The deal, forged after marathon negotiations, establishes a clear framework for regulating AI across the bloc. It categorizes AI systems into three tiers based on their risk profile: minimal, high, and unacceptable. AI systems posing minimal risk will be subject to minimal regulations, while those deemed high-risk, such as medical devices and certain law enforcement technologies, will face stringent requirements.
The 🇪🇺 AI Act is a global first.
A unique legal framework for the development of AI you can trust.
And for the safety and fundamental rights of people and businesses.
A commitment we took in our political guidelines – and we delivered.
I welcome today's political agreement.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 8, 2023
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: “Artificial intelligence is already changing our everyday lives. And this is just the beginning. Used wisely and widely, AI promises huge benefits to our economy and society. Therefore, I very much welcome today's political agreement by the European Parliament and the Council on the Artificial Intelligence Act.
"The EU's AI Act is the first-ever comprehensive legal framework on Artificial Intelligence worldwide. So, this is a historic moment. The AI Act transposes European values to a new era. By focusing regulation on identifiable risks, today's agreement will foster responsible innovation in Europe," she added.
Historic!
The EU becomes the very first continent to set clear rules for the use of AI 🇪🇺
The #AIAct is much more than a rulebook — it's a launchpad for EU startups and researchers to lead the global AI race.
The best is yet to come! 👍 pic.twitter.com/W9rths31MU
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) December 8, 2023
The Act also bans certain "unacceptable" AI practices, including manipulative social scoring systems and emotion recognition technologies used in workplaces.
Global race to regulate AI
This landmark legislation represents a significant step forward in the global race to regulate AI. While other countries, including the US, UK, and China, have begun exploring AI regulation, the EU has taken the lead with its comprehensive and forward-thinking approach. The Act sets a precedent for other nations to follow and will likely shape the future of AI development worldwide.
Market surveillance authorities will oversee new regulations for AI models nationally. At the same time, the European Commission will establish an AI Office to ensure coordination across the EU, it said in a press release. The AI Office will enforce the rules for general-purpose AI models and set a global standard with the help of an independent scientific panel of experts.
One of the most contentious aspects of the negotiations surrounded the regulation of "generative AI" systems. These powerful models, exemplified by OpenAI's ChatGPT, can produce human-quality text, images, and even music, raising concerns about their impact on jobs, privacy, and copyright.
Despite initial disagreements, negotiators reached a compromise requiring transparency and technical documentation for these systems, with additional scrutiny for the most advanced models posing "systemic risks."
Key takeaways
The AI Act represents a crucial step in ensuring that AI technology benefits humanity while mitigating potential harms. By prioritizing ethical considerations and fostering responsible innovation, the EU is shaping the future of AI for the better.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the new regulation:
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Risk-based approach: AI systems are categorized based on their potential risks, with corresponding levels of regulation.
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Transparency and documentation: Companies developing high-risk AI systems must provide detailed technical documentation and comply with transparency requirements.
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Ban on unacceptable practices: Certain AI practices deemed harmful to individuals or society are explicitly banned.
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Focus on generative AI: Specific regulations are established for these powerful models, ensuring transparency and mitigating risks.
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International leadership: The EU's AI Act sets a global standard for AI regulation, influencing other countries to follow suit.
The political agreement needs formal approval by the European Parliament and Council before taking effect. Once adopted, there will be a transitional period before the AI Act becomes applicable. The Commission will launch an AI Pact for voluntary commitments to bridge this gap.
The EU will continue to work with international organizations to promote trustworthy AI rules globally. Recently, the EU supported the G7 leaders' agreement on International Guiding Principles and a Code of Conduct for Advanced AI systems.
The AI Act is a complex and multifaceted legislation with wide-ranging implications. It represents a significant step forward in the quest for ethical and responsible AI development and will undoubtedly shape the future of this transformative technology.
Originally published on Interesting Engineering : Original article