The European Parliament has officially passed the AI Act, a groundbreaking regulatory framework that governs the use of AI systems. The legislation received overwhelming support with 523 votes in favor, 46 against, and 49 abstentions.
Italian lawmaker Brando Benifei, who co-led the AI Act, described it as a historic day. He emphasized the significance of having the world’s first regulation that paves the way for the safe and human-centric development of AI.
The AI Act will classify AI systems into four tiers based on their potential risk to society. High-risk applications, such as self-driving cars, will be subject to stringent requirements before they can be introduced to the EU market. Lower-risk systems will have fewer obligations.
Benifei highlighted the importance of businesses and institutions complying with the implementation and regulations. Additionally, there are ongoing efforts to introduce further AI legislation focusing on workplace conditions.
Dragoş Tudorache from Romania stated that the EU aims to collaborate with like-minded parties globally to promote these pioneering rules and establish governance standards.
The general AI rules will come into effect in May 2025, with obligations for high-risk systems being implemented after three years. National oversight agencies will be responsible for monitoring compliance.
Differing viewpoints on impact
Reactions to the Act varied in terms of whether it strikes the right balance between innovation and protecting rights.
Data scientist Curtis Wilson believes that the Act will help build public trust by deterring careless developers through strict rules and penalties. This, in turn, will increase customer confidence in using AI systems. He emphasized the benefits of ensuring all AI developers adhere to these standards.
On the other hand, Mher Hakobyan from Amnesty International criticized the legislation for favoring industry interests over human rights. He expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability provisions, which could potentially lead to abuses.
Businesses are now faced with the challenge of revamping their practices to comply with the new regulations. Data privacy lawyer Marcus Evans advised companies to establish robust AI governance to optimize technology usage and ensure compliance with the new regime. He stressed the importance of starting preparations early to avoid violating the rules.
After years of negotiations, the AI Act signals the EU’s intention to take a global lead in regulating this transformative technology. However, dissenting voices highlight the ongoing challenges in striking the right balance.
(Photo by Tabrez Syed on Unsplash)
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