friday europe The EU is one step closer to introducing rules governing the use of artificial intelligence and AI models, such as the Microsoft-backed ChatGPT, after EU member states approved a political deal reached in December.
The regulation, proposed by the European Commission three years ago, aims to set global standards for technology used in a wide range of industries, from banking and retail to automotive and aviation. It also sets parameters for the use of AI for military, criminal, and security purposes.
EU industry chief Thierry Breton said the AI law was historic and a world first.
“Today, member states endorsed the political agreement reached in December and recognized the perfect balance between innovation and safety that the negotiators had found,” he said in a statement.
Experts' main concern is that generative AI will fuel deepfakes (realistic but fabricated videos created by AI algorithms trained on large amounts of online footage) that will surface on social media. It is blurring fact and fiction in public life.
EU digital chief Margrethe Vestager said the spread of sexually explicit fake images of pop singer Taylor Swift on social media in recent days highlighted the need for new rules. Ta.
“What happened to @taylorswift13 says it all: the #harm that #AI can cause when used poorly, #platform liability, and why enforcing #tech regulations is so important. ” she told X.
There are obstacles ahead
This comes as France, the last holdout, dropped its opposition to the AI law after securing strict conditions that balance transparency and trade secrecy and reduce the burden of managing high-risk AI systems. Friday's agreement was a foregone conclusion.
EU diplomatic officials said early Friday that the aim is to enable the development of competitive AI models within the region. The official declined to give his name because he was not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.
Sources said French AI startup Mistral, founded by former AI researchers at Meta and Google, and Germany's Aleph Alpha are lobbying their respective governments on the issue.
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Germany also endorsed the rule earlier this week.
Technology lobby group CCIA, which counts Google, Amazon, Apple and Metaplatform among its members, warned of upcoming obstacles.
“Many of the new AI rules remain unclear and could delay the development and deployment of innovative AI applications in Europe,” said Boniface de Champly, senior policy manager at CCIA Europe. .
“Proper enforcement of this law is therefore critical to ensuring that AI rules do not place an undue burden on companies seeking to innovate and compete in a prosperous and highly dynamic market.”
The next step for the AI law to become law is a vote by a key committee of EU parliamentarians on February 13th, followed by a vote in the European Parliament in March or April. It would probably come into force before the Northern Hemisphere summer and apply in 2026, although some parts of the bill are expected to come into force sooner. — Fu Yun Qi and Martin Coulter, (c) 2024 Reuters