European Parliament adopts the world’s first comprehensive law on artificial intelligence
13 March 2024 18:42
On 13 March 2024, the European Parliament adopted a law on artificial intelligence that should guarantee the security and observance of citizens’ fundamental rights. The document was supported by 523 MEPs, 46 were against and 49 abstained.
This was reported by Kommersant ukrainskyi
with reference to the EP press service.
The purpose of the law is to protect fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law and environmental sustainability from high-risk AI while stimulating innovation.
The provisions of the law establish obligations regarding AI based on its potential risks and level of impact.
The new rules provide for a ban on certain AI applications that threaten the rights of citizens. These include, among others, biometric categorisation systems based on sensitive characteristics, as well as the inappropriate collection of facial images from the Internet or CCTV footage to create facial recognition databases.
The Law prohibits the use of biometric identification systems (RBI) by law enforcement agencies, except in certain specified situations.
It also provides for clear obligations for other high-risk AI systems due to their significant potential harm to health, security, fundamental rights, the environment, democracy and the rule of law.
General-purpose artificial intelligence (GPAI) systems and the GPAI models on which they are based must meet certain transparency requirements, including compliance with EU copyright law.
In addition, artificially generated images, audio or video content (“dipshots”) must be clearly labelled as such.
We finally have the world’s first binding law on artificial intelligence to reduce risks, create opportunities, fight discrimination and ensure transparency,
– said Brando Benifei, Co-Rapporteur of the Internal Market Committee.
The law is to be formally adopted by the EU Council after technical clarifications. It will enter into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and will be fully applicable 24 months after entry into force, with a number of exceptions.
