The European Union approved regulating the use of AI: what the project says

The plenary of the European Parliament approved this Wednesday, June 14, a project to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the European Union (EU), beginning a delicate negotiation with the representatives of the 27 countries of the bloc. The regulations approved with 499 votes in favour, 28 against and 93 abstentions.

(See: The company that has become a ‘superpower’ thanks to AI).

With it the AI ​​will be regulated according to risk level: the greater it is for the rights or health of people, for example, the greater the obligations of technological systems.

The high-risk list includes AI in critical infrastructure, education, human resources, public order and migration management.

the european parliament has added additional conditions before the high risk classification is metincluding the possibility of harming health, safety, fundamental rights or the environment.

Thus, the Eurolegislators included on the package the ban to the widespread use of automatic facial recognition systems in public places.

By the approved regulations, the EU may authorize the use of those AI devices for facial recognition in support of the fight against crime, although the specific details will still have to be negotiated with the countries of the bloc.

It also defines special requirements for generative AI systemssuch as ChatGPT and DALL-E, capable of producing text, images, code, audio and other media, and include the obligation to inform users that a machine, not a human, produced the content.

(See: The West seeks common standards for Artificial Intelligence).

The idea had been raised since 2021, but the matter became urgent after ChatGPT burst onto the scenehighlighting the vertiginous development of the sector.

Negotiations are expected to begin with the 27 bloc countries immediately, with the idea of ​​having a deal sealed by the end of the year.

Reuters

It should be clarified that the regulations would not enter into force until 2026And because of that
The EU will also need to negotiate an interim and voluntary framework with technology companies developing AI.

ANDhe coEuropean Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, called on the countries of the bloc and the European Parliament to conclude the negotiations “in the coming months.”

The use of AI, noted Breton generate “numerous questions, in the social, ethical and economic plan. It is about acting quickly and that we all assume our responsibilities“.

(See: ‘Artificial intelligence could lead humanity to its extinction’).

One of the legislators who promoted the initiative, Brando Benifei, called for a ‘common approach’ to address AI risks. “We need to compare notes with legislators from around the world.”said.

Finally, the parliament stressed that false images are currently being disseminated on social networks, created from AI-based applications, such as Midjourney, which have warned about the risks of manipulation of public opinion and the dangers for democracy. For that reason, European scientists have called for an extension in the deadline for the development of the most powerful systems, until they are better regulated by law.

(See: Is ChatGPT able to predict the winning numbers of the Ballot?).

EFE