On Thursday, a preliminary agreement was reached by a committee of European Union lawmakers regarding the European Artificial Intelligence Act. The act aims to introduce the first-ever regulation of AI in order to address potential dangers associated with the technology.
Svenja Hahn, an EU parliament deputy, said a compromise was reached to regulate AI and balance innovation with citizens’ protection. Conservatives wanted more surveillance, and leftists feared over-regulation.
Two years ago, the European Commission proposed draft rules to safeguard citizens from potential risks associated with emerging AI technology. The popularity and investment in AI have been on the rise in recent months.
Before the proposed rules can be established, they must undergo a trilogue, which involves discussions and negotiations. This is necessary to ensure that the regulations are suitable for all member states of the European Union.
The proposed regulations would require companies utilizing AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to disclose if they have incorporated copyrighted material. This is part of the efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the development and use of AI technology.
The legislators have endeavored to achieve a balance between promoting innovation and safeguarding the fundamental rights of citizens. This approach acknowledges the potential advantages of AI while recognizing the need to ensure ethical and responsible development and usage of the technology.
As a result, the proposed regulations classify various AI tools based on their perceived level of risk, ranging from minimal to limited, high, and unacceptable. While high-risk tools will not be prohibited, companies using them will need to maintain a high level of transparency in their operations to comply with the proposed regulations.
The chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee in the US recently called on CEOs of multiple artificial intelligence (AI) companies to prioritize security measures, combat bias, and adopt responsible approaches to rolling out new technologies. This emphasizes the need for industry leaders to prioritize ethics and safety in the development and deployment of AI.
Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat, expressed concerns about the potential risks associated with AI technology. He emphasized the need for regulation in the field, stating that it was clear that some level of regulation was necessary beyond industry commitments. Warner even sent letters to the CEOs of several prominent companies in the AI industry, including OpenAI, Scale AI, Meta Platforms, Alphabet’s Google, Apple, Stability AI, Midjourney, Anthropic, Percipient.ai, and Microsoft. This indicates a growing recognition among policymakers of the need for the responsible and ethical development of AI technology.
