European Parliament has passed landmark regulation on AI

After a 523-46 positive voting result, (49 abstentions), the Artifical Intelligence (AI) Act heads down a lengthy and complex implementation path. An EU Office that will guide the process under the Commission’s wing has already started hiring.

The Act sets out a tiered approach to regulation based on how risky applications of the technology are deemed and sets different deadlines for implementing the various requirements. Some uses of AI, such as algorithm-based social scoring, will be prohibited by the end of 2024. Other uses, such as critical infrastructure, are deemed high-risk and will face stricter rules. Under the current timeline, full implementation will come in 2026.

In a significant development, the European Parliament has voted to pass the landmark regulation on Artificial Intelligence (AI), prgulation proposals had garnered major lobbying attention from large tech companies over the past few years². The AI Act was approved with an overwhelming majority, with 523 votes in favor, 46 against, and 49 abstentions⁷.

The AI Act has been hotly debated since it was first proposed in 2021³. It sets out a risk-based framework for AI, applying various rules and requirements depending on the level of risk attached to the use-case⁶. A handful of potential AI use-cases are deemed "unacceptable risk" and banned outright, such as social scoring or subliminal manipulation⁶. The law also defines a set of "high risk" applications, such as AI used in education or employment, or for remote biometrics⁶. These systems must be registered, and their developers are required to comply with risk and quality management provisions set out in the law⁶.

The music industry has welcomed the passing of the EU AI Act, which provides tools for rightsholders to enforce their rights⁴. However, the specifics of how these tools will be utilized remain to be seen⁴.

Penalties for non-compliance can scale up to 7% of global annual turnover (or €35M if higher) for violating the ban on prohibited uses of AI⁶. Breaches of other provisions on AI systems could attract penalties of up to 3% (or €15M)⁶. Failure to cooperate with oversight bodies risks fines of up to 1%⁶.

The AI Act is on its way now to becoming law across the region, with only a final approval from the Council pending⁶. Once published in the EU’s Official Journal in the coming months, the AI Act will come into force 20 days after that⁶. Full implementation is not expected until mid-2027⁶.

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References

(1) Europe’s landmark AI Act passes Parliament vote. https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/europes-landmark-ai-act-passes-parliament-vote/.
(2) EU Parliament approves AI Act with large majority. https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/eu-parliament-ai-act/.
(3) The EU AI Act passed — here’s what comes next. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/the-eu-ai-act-passed-here-s-what-comes-next/ar-AA1lw138.
(4) Deal on EU AI Act gets thumbs up from European Parliament. https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/13/deal-on-eu-ai-act-gets-thumbs-up-from-european-parliament/.
(5) EU AI Act “world-first” say music trade bodies as European Parliament votes it into law. https://completemusicupdate.com/eu-ai-act-world-first-say-music-trade-bodies-as-european-parliament-votes-it-into-law/.
(6) undefined. https://www.itpro.com/security/data-protection/openais-irish-data-processing-move-could-ward-off-regulatory-scrutiny.
(7) Europe’s landmark AI Act passes Parliament vote – Euractiv. https://www.euractiv.com/section/artificial-intelligence/news/europes-landmark-ai-act-passes-parliament-vote/.

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