TL;DR:
- The European Parliament has passed landmark legislation known as the AI Act to regulate the use of artificial intelligence.
- The AI Act aims to promote human-centric and trustworthy AI while prohibiting intrusive and discriminatory applications of the technology.
- The legislation categorizes AI systems based on risk levels and imposes obligations on providers and users.
- Generative AI systems like ChatGPT will be required to disclose AI-generated content.
- AI systems used to influence elections are considered high-risk.
- Prohibited practices include real-time and post remote biometric identification systems, emotion recognition systems, and untargeted scraping of facial images.
- Concerns over racist policing and profiling related to surveillance systems have been raised.
- The European Parliament’s response demonstrates a commitment to protecting democracies and freedoms.
Main AI News:
In a significant development, the European Parliament gave its approval on Wednesday to groundbreaking legislation aimed at regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Known as the AI Act, this landmark legislation seeks to promote “human-centric and trustworthy AI,” introducing a range of obligations for providers and users of AI systems, while also proposing bans on intrusive and discriminatory applications of the technology.
The approval of the AI Act marks a historic milestone, making it the first of its kind worldwide. The legislation garnered overwhelming support among European Members of Parliament, with 499 votes in favor, 28 against, and 93 abstentions.
Under the provisions of the AI Act, AI systems will be categorized based on the level of risk they pose. The legislation specifically aims to prohibit AI systems that pose an “unacceptable” level of risk to people’s safety. This includes systems involved in social scoring, which classify individuals based on their social behavior or personal characteristics.
Furthermore, the AI Act requires generative AI systems, such as ChatGPT, to disclose when content has been “AI-generated.” This emphasis on transparency will enable users to distinguish between human-generated and AI-generated content, ensuring accountability and responsible use.
The European Parliament also identifies AI systems used to influence voters in elections as “high-risk.” By acknowledging the potential risks associated with such practices, the legislation demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding the integrity and fairness of democratic processes.
In addressing the issue of intrusive and discriminatory uses of AI, the parliament has prohibited certain practices. These include the use of “real-time” remote biometric identification systems in publicly accessible spaces and “post” remote biometric identification systems. However, the latter exception applies solely to law enforcement activities, subject to judicial authorization and for the purpose of prosecuting serious crimes.
Additionally, the AI Act forbids the use of “emotion recognition systems” in law enforcement, border management, workplaces, and educational institutions. It extends the same restrictions to practices such as the untargeted scraping of facial images from the internet or CCTV footage to create facial recognition databases. Such practices have been deemed violations of human rights and privacy. The legislation also addresses concerns regarding “biometric categorization systems” that use sensitive characteristics, such as gender, race, ethnicity, citizenship status, religion, and political orientation, as well as “predictive policing systems” that rely on profiling, location, or past criminal behavior.
Recent research by Amnesty International has underscored the risks of surveillance systems employed by EU states, particularly in relation to racist policing and profiling. Mher Hakobyan, Amnesty’s Advocacy Advisor on AI Regulation, stressed the importance of the European Parliament acknowledging these harms: “With such a persistently inhospitable environment towards people fleeing wars and conflict in search of a better life, it is vital that the European Parliament doesn’t dismiss the harms of AI systems.”
Following the vote, Brando Benifei, an Italian member of the European Parliament, addressed the significance of the legislation. He highlighted the responsibility of Europe to respond effectively to the emerging risks posed by AI, even as big tech companies raise concerns about their own creations. Benifei expressed the desire to harness the positive potential of AI for creativity and productivity while also safeguarding democratic principles and freedoms.
Conclusion:
The approval of the AI Act by the European Parliament sets a significant precedent in the global market. The legislation establishes clear regulations and obligations for the use of AI, promoting transparency, accountability, and the protection of human rights. This development will shape the AI market in Europe, fostering innovation while ensuring responsible and ethical AI practices. Businesses operating in the AI sector will need to adapt to these regulations and align their operations with the principles of human-centric and trustworthy AI. Compliance with the AI Act will be essential for companies to build trust with consumers and demonstrate their commitment to ethical AI use.
