In a historic move, all 27 member states of the European Union have given their endorsement to the political agreement reached in December 2023, marking a crucial advancement in the regulatory framework for artificial intelligence (AI). Commissioner for Internal Market of the EU, Thierry Breton, confirmed the unanimous approval, describing the AI Act as a world-first and a milestone in the global approach to AI regulation.
Taking to the social media platform X to share the news, Commissioner Breton emphasized the significance of the AI Act, which is designed as a risk-based strategy to regulate various applications of artificial intelligence. The comprehensive agreement addresses key areas, including the use of AI in government for biometric surveillance, the regulation of AI systems like ChatGPT, and transparency rules required before market entry.
Efforts to translate the agreed-upon positions into a finalized compromise text began following the December political agreement. The culmination of these endeavors resulted in a “coreper” vote on February 2, where the permanent representatives of all member states voted to approve the final text.
The AI Act is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the responsible deployment of AI technologies within the European Union, providing a framework that balances innovation with necessary safeguards. By addressing concerns related to the governmental use of AI, regulating specific AI systems, and establishing transparency guidelines, the EU aims to foster a secure and ethical environment for the development and implementation of artificial intelligence.
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Amid this groundbreaking development, experts have raised significant concerns about the growing prevalence of deepfake technology. Realistic yet fabricated videos created by AI algorithms trained on online footage have been infiltrating social media, blurring the lines between truth and fiction in public discourse. Margrethe Vestager, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age, underscored the importance of the Friday agreement as a significant step toward the full implementation of the AI Act.
As the European Union embraces this landmark regulatory initiative, it sets a precedent for the global community in addressing the challenges posed by AI, underscoring the need for a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to technology governance.She said:
“Based on a simple idea: The riskier the AI, the greater the liabilities for developers. For example, if used to sort applicants for a job or be admitted to an education program. That’s why the #AI Act focuses on the high-risk cases.”
On Friday, an agreement was reached as France withdrew its objection to the AI Act. Germany, on January 30, also expressed support for the act, following a compromise announcement by Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport, Volker Wissing.
The legislative journey for the AI Act is set to progress with a crucial vote by an EU lawmaker committee scheduled for February 13, followed by a subsequent European Parliament vote in March or April. Anticipated to be in effect by 2026, specific provisions are expected to take effect earlier.
To ensure adherence to a set of high-impact foundational models considered to pose systemic risks, the European Commission is taking proactive steps to establish an AI Office. Simultaneously, measures have been unveiled to bolster support for local AI developers, including the enhancement of the EU’s supercomputer network for generative AI model training.