EU Parliament Votes In Favour Of Groundbreaking AI Regulatory Framework
EU Parliament Votes in Favour of Groundbreaking AI Regulatory Framework
The European Parliament has taken a significant step in shaping the future of artificial intelligence by voting in favour of the EU AI Act. With an overwhelming majority of 523 votes for, 46 against, and 49 abstentions, the Act has been celebrated by Lead MEP Brando Benifei as a pivotal move to mitigate risks and ensure transparency in AI, while also combating discrimination and fostering opportunities.
The EU AI Act is the first of its kind, setting a global precedent with a comprehensive framework to govern AI. It introduces a risk-based approach to categorise AI applications, distinguishing between low-risk and high-risk systems. High-risk applications, particularly those in critical infrastructure, healthcare, and law enforcement, will be subject to strict requirements, including risk assessments, transparency, and adherence to EU copyright laws. Moreover, the Act bans certain AI applications deemed to pose an unacceptable risk, such as social scoring systems and predictive policing algorithms.
The Act also aims to balance regulation with innovation, encouraging low-risk AI systems like content recommendation algorithms to follow voluntary codes of conduct. This approach promotes responsible AI development while fostering technological progress.
Businesses operating within the EU will need to ensure compliance with the AI Act’s provisions. The Act targets AI developers and providers but also impacts a wide range of industries. Companies outside the EU that engage with AI systems within the EU market will also be subject to the Act, reflecting the GDPR’s extraterritorial scope.
To enforce compliance, each EU member state will establish its own AI watchdog, and a centralised AI Office at the EU level will oversee the enforcement of the Act, focusing on general-purpose AI models. Non-compliance can lead to substantial fines, emphasising the EU’s commitment to ethical AI governance.
