“Europe is the global AI standard setter,” Thierry Breton, EU Internal Market Commissioner, said on social network X.
Roberta Metsola, president of the EU parliament, said this pioneering law would facilitate innovation while protecting core values. “Artificial intelligence has become an important part of our lives. Now, it will also be part of EU law," quoted the EU leader's post.
Starting construction in 2021, the EU AI Act classifies technology by risk level, from "unacceptable" - synonymous with a ban on release, to high, medium and low risk.
Some European countries, such as Germany and France, advocate that member governments "self-regulate" management measures for AI businesses, fearing that too strict regulations could reduce the power of AI businesses. compete with Chinese and American companies.
Last week, the EU put into effect the Digital Market Act to curb the power of American technology giants such as Apple, Google, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft or China's ByteDance. Under this law, the EU can crack down on practices considered anti-competitive, and at the same time force businesses to be more "open" in areas where they currently dominate, to provide more choices. with consumers.
These concerns are growing with the rise of AI, led by leading technology companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google and chip designer Nvidia.
Humans control technology
“The AI Act advances the development of AI toward human control of technology, and technology will help us accelerate new discoveries for economic growth, social progress, and unleashing human potential. people,” said Dragos Tudorache, the MP overseeing the EU's discussion of the bill.
Accordingly, the passage of the AI management law is not the "end point" for this technology field, instead it is the starting point for a new governance model built on technology.
Legal experts say the law is an important milestone for international AI regulation and could pave the way for other countries to follow.
Passage of the legislation, said Mark Ferguson, public policy expert at Pinsent Masons, is just the beginning and businesses will need to work closely with lawmakers to understand how it will be implemented.
“Once again, the EU has gone ahead, developing a comprehensive set of regulations,” said Steven Farmer, partner and AI expert at international law firm Pillsbury. “The bloc acted early on data management efforts and the same with AI.”
However, it is not without concerns. Emma Wright, partner at law firm Harbottle & Lewis, is concerned that the provisions of this law could quickly become outdated as technology is a fast-moving and constantly evolving field.
“The pace of technological change as seen with the launch of AI late last year, a possible complication is that the EU AI Act could quickly become outdated, especially if one considers according to the implementation time frame".
With 523 votes in favor, 46 votes against and 49 abstentions, the EU AI Act was officially passed, expected to take effect next May, after the final legislative processes are conducted. The contents will be implemented step by step from 5 onwards.
(According to CNBC)
