Europe Moves Closer to Landmark AI Rules as EU Countries Approve Proposal

In a major development, EU countries have given their endorsement to a political agreement reached in December that paves the way for the adoption of rules governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe.

Proposed by the European Commission three years ago, these rules aim to establish a global standard for the use of AI in various industries, from banking and retail to transportation and security. The rules also address the use of AI in military and crime-related applications.

Thierry Breton, the EU industry chief, hailed this development as historically significant and a world first. He commended the negotiators for striking a perfect balance between innovation and safety. Margrethe Vestager, the EU digital chief, emphasised the necessity of these rules in light of recent incidents involving the spread of fake explicit images on social media.

France, the last country to withhold its approval, eventually dropped its opposition after securing certain conditions that prioritise transparency while protecting trade secrets and reducing administrative burdens on high-risk AI systems.

However, there are concerns from tech lobbying group CCIA, which includes major companies like Google, Amazon, Apple, and Meta Platforms. They caution that many of the new AI rules remain unclear and could potentially hinder the development and implementation of innovative AI applications in Europe.

The final steps for the AI Act to become legislation involve a vote by a key committee of EU lawmakers on February 13, followed by a vote in the European Parliament either in March or April.

It is expected to come into effect later in the year and be fully enforceable by 2026, although certain provisions may be implemented earlier.

- CyberBeat