Artificial intelligence act: Council and Parliament strike a deal on EU rules

Dec 10, 2023 ·

The European Union has announced a major breakthrough on the first ever worldwide rules for artificial intelligence. After months of negotiations, the Council and the European Parliament have finally come to an agreement to adopt the Artificial Intelligence Act. The Act will set out the rules for how AI should be developed, deployed, and regulated in the EU.

The Act will apply to all industrial sectors that employ AI-based technologies, from healthcare to transport to finance. It will cover the full life cycle of AI activities, from development to deployment to use. It will also create a “duty of care” for companies that use AI systems, which will require them to take responsibility for any damage or harm caused by their systems.

Under the new rules, companies that deploy AI systems must provide transparent information about how they work and the risks they may pose. Companies must also adhere to ethical principles such as fairness, non-discrimination, privacy, and safety. In addition, all AI systems must be designed to ensure traceability and accountability. This is to ensure that if something goes wrong with an AI system, companies can be held responsible.

Finally, the Act will set up a certification system for AI-based products and services. Companies must prove that their systems meet certain standards before they can be deployed. This will help ensure that only safe and reliable systems are used in the EU.

The adoption of this Act marks a significant step forward in regulating artificial intelligence in Europe. It provides clarity to businesses on what is expected of them, while also ensuring that people’s rights and freedoms are protected. This will help create a trusted and secure environment for developing and deploying AI technologies.