Europe agrees landmark AI regulation deal

Dec 9, 2023 ·

The European Union has been discussing the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) legislation since 2018. The purpose of the legislation is to regulate the use of AI in a manner that ensures safety and security for citizens while still promoting innovation and economic growth. Discussions have been ongoing for several years, but progress has been slow. However, on December 8th, 2023 the European Commission announced that talks on the proposed AI Act are set to resume.

The act would aim to ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically, while also encouraging its development and uptake. It will focus on four key areas: safety, transparency, fairness, and liability.

The safety aspect would involve ensuring that AI systems are designed and used in a safe and secure way. This includes taking into account potential risks, such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and algorithmic biases. Transparency will be ensured by requiring companies to provide clear information about their technology and how it works. The fairness component requires AI applications to consider all relevant factors and not discriminate against individuals or groups. Finally, the liability aspect provides legal recourse should something go wrong with an AI system.

The discussions will resume with a new round of negotiations and working groups that will involve stakeholders from the tech industry, civil society, and governments. The goal is to reach a conclusion by the end of 2023 so that the act can be adopted in time for the end of the current EU Presidency cycle.

The AI Act could potentially make the EU one of the most advanced regions in terms of its regulation of AI technology. It could lead to improved public trust in the technology, and help create an environment where businesses can innovate and grow. The proposed act could become a model for other countries around the world, as it sets the standards for ethical AI development and usage.