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European AI law can come into effect

by AI | 21.May 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The European AI Act can come into force now that, after the European Parliament, the member states have also given the green light. EU chair Belgium calls it a groundbreaking law.

The Council of the European Union approved the AI Act on Tuesday. - Photo: Francois Lenoir/European Council/dpa

Brussels – The member states of the European Union have given final approval on Tuesday to the ‘AI Act’, the regulation that establishes rules for the use of artificial intelligence (AI). “This groundbreaking law, the first of its kind in the world, is our answer to a global technological challenge that also creates opportunities for our societies and economies,” says Belgian Secretary of State for Digitalization Mathieu Michel, who had to steer the approval procedure on behalf of the presidency.

The AI law had already gained a majority in the European Parliament earlier. With the formal approval by the Council, the legislative process is now completely finished. European legislators often talk about historic rules that offer protection against the risks of AI, but at the same time, allow room for innovation. They hope the law will set a global standard.

“This groundbreaking law is our answer to a global technological challenge that also creates opportunities for our societies and economies.”

Secretary of State Mathieu Michel from Council President Belgium

A risk-based approach is being used, which means that the greater the risk of damage to society, the stricter the rules are. Cognitive behavior manipulation, social scoring, and other risks deemed unacceptable are banned. Also, the use of AI for predictive policing based on profiling, and systems that use biometric information to derive someone’s race, religion, or sexual orientation are not allowed. Separate rules have been created for generative AI, which can create content itself, especially in terms of transparency.

Mathieu Michel talks about “an important milestone in the history of the EU”. “We have found a balance between fostering the use of this rapidly changing technology and respecting the fundamental rights of our citizens.”