European Parliament voted A.I. Act
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EU Council to examine this proposal. ChatGPT could leave EU
The European Parliament has approved its proposals on the EU AI Act, a comprehensive set of regulations aimed at governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the European Union. OpenAI and Google are not sharing certain proposals and OpenAI could leave EU: the EU legislation is designed to protect consumers from potential risks associated with AI applications and address concerns over surveillance, algorithmic discrimination, and the spread of misinformation. Unlike the United States, where AI legislation has faced delays, EU officials have moved swiftly to tackle the regulatory challenges posed by AI.
By Paolo Licandro
16 June 2023
The EU AI Act adopts a risk-based approach, imposing restrictions based on the perceived level of risk associated with specific AI applications. It bans certain AI tools considered “unacceptable,” such as analytics systems used by law enforcement to predict criminal behavior. Additionally, it introduces limits on “high-risk” technologies, including recommendation algorithms and tools that can influence elections. The legislation also focuses on generative AI, imposing obligations on companies to label AI-generated content and disclose the use of copyrighted data in training AI models.
The EU approach
The EU’s proactive approach to AI regulation solidifies its position as a global leader in tech regulation. It adds to the suite of existing regulatory tools aimed at Silicon Valley companies and sets standards that could influence policymakers worldwide. The alignment between European and U.S. regulators has grown stronger in recent years, as both sides recognize the need to address the power of tech giants. European officials have engaged in discussions with U.S. lawmakers on AI, sensing a greater urgency in Congress to regulate AI technologies.
In contrast to the EU’s progress, the U.S. Congress is only beginning to grapple with the potential risks of AI. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer has initiated efforts to craft an AI framework, citing national security concerns and the need to prevent adversaries from taking the lead in AI regulation. However, Congress is still months away from considering specific legislation. The EU’s more advanced AI legislation highlights the concern among some U.S. lawmakers that the United States is falling behind in setting regulatory standards for technology.
Tech giants worried about restrictive bias
The passage of the EU AI Act has significant implications for tech giants, including Google, whose advertising technology business was also targeted by a new antitrust challenge from Brussels on the same day. The legislation’s impact is particularly concerning for OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, which has expressed the possibility of withdrawing from Europe due to the potential consequences of the regulations. While the European Parliament’s approval is a crucial step, the bill still requires negotiations with the European Council before it becomes law. As European Parliament adopted 771 amendments to the Act proposed by the Commission, EU legislators told us that negotiations will take very long time.
While companies like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI have voiced support for AI regulation, they have raised concerns about certain aspects of the EU’s approach.
Google, for example, argues that disclosure requirements could compromise trade secrets and create security vulnerabilities. Despite these reservations, the passage of the EU AI Act marks a significant step forward in regulating AI within the European Union. However, it is important to note that no single law can fully address all the challenges and complexities associated with AI, and ongoing efforts will be necessary to develop comprehensive AI policies and frameworks.
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