EU drafts world's first 'comprehensive' laws aimed at AI

Following a 36-hour negotiation, lawmakers added proposals in the AI Act that include things like critical safeguards for AI usage within the union and imposes limitations on its adoption by law enforcement agencies.

Similar to previous digital legislation like GDPR, consumers will gain the right to launch complaints, and significant fines could be imposed for companies in violation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the AI Act as a unique legal framework for developing trustworthy AI. She emphasised its role in advancing technology that safeguards people's safety and rights.

This legislative milestone reflects the EU's positioning to be a player in shaping the future of AI governance.

EU Commissioner Thierry Breton described the plan as "historic", emphasising its potential to serve as a launch pad for EU start-ups and researchers to lead in the global AI race.

The US, UK, and China are all concurrently developing their own AI guidelines, with them understanding the urgent need for regulatory frameworks in this rapidly advancing field.

However, calls for its regulation are not just coming from governments. As early as May 2023, the CEO of ChatGPT – the very technology that put AI back in the picture – Sam Altman told a committee of US lawmakers to introduce legislation regulating it.  

The European Parliament defines AI as software that can generate outputs, such as content or decisions, that influence their environments based on human-defined objectives. Generative AI like ChatGPT and DALL-E, which learns from vast data to create human-like content, are key examples under this definition. ChatGPT can engage in text conversations, while DALL-E creates images from textual instructions. These advancements, while promising, have raised concerns globally about their potential misuse and impact on society.

In Italy, unilateral action was taken against ChatGPT due to concerns about data collection and underage access to inappropriate content. OpenAI responded by blocking ChatGPT in Italy and implementing changes to comply with Italian regulations. This scenario highlights the challenges AI companies face in adhering to national regulations, and EU’s ambition to harmonise its governance.

Since its debut, ChatGPT has seen staggering growth, breaking user acquisition records and prompting significant discussions about AI's societal impact. Businesses, from startups to tech giants, are harnessing AI's potential, but this also brings forth challenges like job displacement and ethical concerns.

This legislation, pending a successful vote by the European Parliament early next year, could see it come into effect by 2025.