EU Parliament Approves the First Artificial Intelligence Legislation
The approval of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act by the European Parliament on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, marks a significant milestone in the regulation of AI in Europe. With an overwhelming majority of 499 votes in favor, 28 against, and 93 abstentions, this legislation aims to ensure that AI developed and utilized in Europe adheres to the values and rights of the European Union. These values include human oversight, safety, privacy, transparency, and non-discrimination.
The new regulations take a risk-based approach, establishing obligations for both AI providers and users based on the level of risk associated with the technology. Practices that pose high risks, such as social scoring and intrusive or discriminatory applications, will be prohibited.
What Does the Landmark AI Act Address?
-
Ban remote biometric identification, such as facial recognition, utilized by private entities in publicly accessible spaces. This step is considered positive as the technology's invasiveness undermines our fundamental rights. The Commission had previously suggested banning its use by public authorities in public areas.
-
Prohibit social scoring employed by private entities, where an AI system assesses individuals based on their social behavior or preferences. This practice is excessively invasive and arbitrary to be applied to consumers.
-
Grant consumers the right to seek collective redress in cases where an AI system has caused harm to a group of consumers.
-
Ensure consumers have various rights, including the right to be informed when subjected to a decision made by a high-risk AI system, the right to lodge complaints with an authority regarding an AI system, and the right to take a supervisory authority to court if it fails to take appropriate action.
-
Impose specific regulations on generative AI systems like ChatGPT, compelling AI developers to identify, reduce, and mitigate risks to health, safety, and fundamental rights before releasing the AI system on the market.
By adopting its negotiating position on the AI Act, the European Parliament demonstrates its commitment to striking a balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding the rights of citizens within the realm of AI.
Source:
