After 36 hours of debate in Brussels, negotiators have come up with rules on how AI is used in Europe, which they call the “AI Act” and say will not hamper the development of the field.
Photo: AP
“History! With today’s political agreement on the AI Act, the EU becomes the first continent to set clear rules on the use of AI,” said EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton.
“The AI Act is more than just a rulebook – it is a launchpad for EU startups and researchers to lead the global race for trustworthy AI,” he added.
Thus, the EU's "AI Act" has been hastily agreed upon, just as quickly as the rapid explosion of AI models like the ChatGPT chatbot since late 2022.
While acknowledging the advancement and usefulness of AI models, critics remain concerned that the technology can easily be abused for malicious purposes.
The European Commission first proposed the law in 2021. It still needs to be formally adopted by member states, but Friday's political agreement is seen as the last significant hurdle.
“The AI Act is a global first. A single legal framework for AI development that you can trust,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, welcoming the agreement.
In addition to the EU, other countries and regions have been rushing to enact laws or regulations on the use of AI. US President Joe Biden issued an executive order on AI safety standards in October. China also introduced specific regulations on AI in August this year.
Under the AI Act, the EU will monitor and sanction violators through a new body called the AI Office, which will have the power to impose fines of up to 7% of a company's turnover or €35 million, whichever is greater.
Hoang Hai (according to AFP, Reuters, AP)
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