EU AI act: first regulation on artificial intelligence

The use of artificial intelligence in the EU will be regulated by the AI Act, the world’s first comprehensive AI law. After the EU Commission proposed the regulatory framework in 2021 it is now for the European Parliament to keep the process moving. Find out how and learn more about the mode and the effects of the new regulation.

In April 2021, the European Commission proposed the first EU regulatory framework for AI. It says that AI systems that can be used in different applications are analyzed and classified according to the risk they pose to users. The different risk levels will mean more or less regulation. Once approved, these will be the world’s first rules on AI. The proposals have now been presented to the Eu Parliament.

What Parliament wants in AI legislation

Parliament’s priority is to make sure that AI systems used in the EU are safe, transparent, traceable, non-discriminatory, and environmentally friendly. AI systems should be overseen by people, rather than by automation, to prevent harmful outcomes. It is sought to establish a technology-neutral, uniform definition for AI that could be applied to future AI systems.

The new rules establish obligations for providers and users depending on the level of risk from artificial intelligence. While many AI systems pose minimal risk, they need to be assessed. The risk exposure is classified in Unacceptable risk, High risk, Generative AI, and Limited risk.

Next steps

Parliament is set to agree its negotiating position in June 2023, after which talks will begin with EU countries in the Council on the final form of the law. The aim is to reach an agreement by the end of this year.

Source: EP Press Release of 8 June 2023.

A comprehensive analysis of the Commission’s Draft Regulation from our experts at PwC Legal to be found here.