NUNZIUM

Two European Union parliamentary committees have backed the world's first rules for generative AI systems like ChatGPT in Europe, marking a groundbreaking move. The draft AI Act, which governs products and services using AI systems, has been approved by the European Parliament committees on civil liberties and consumer protection. The Act, first proposed in 2021, categorizes AI into four ranks, with riskier applications facing tougher rules that require transparency and accuracy. Policing tools for crime prediction are expected to be banned, while remote facial recognition technology will be prohibited, except for countering specific terrorist threats. ChatGPT and similar generative AI are considered high-risk systems.

The AI Act will be presented to the full parliament next month for adoption. However, it could take years before the new rules become law across the EU's 27-member bloc, given the long bureaucratic process involved. The European AI Strategy aims to make the EU a world-class hub for AI, focusing on excellence and trust. The Commission plans to invest €1 billion per year in AI through Horizon Europe and Digital Europe programs, mobilizing additional investments to reach an annual investment volume of €20 billion over the digital decade. The Recovery and Resilience Facility makes €134 billion available for digital initiatives, and access to high-quality data is deemed essential for building high-performance AI systems.

The EU is also strengthening its strategic partnerships with countries like India and Singapore through the establishment of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and other cooperative agreements. The International outreach for the human-centric AI initiative promotes the EU's vision on sustainable and trustworthy AI.

The Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence aims to accelerate investment, act on strategies and programs, and align AI policy to avoid fragmentation in Europe. The European AI Alliance, established in 2018, facilitates open policy dialogue on AI. Language Technologies (Natural Language Processing) make Europe's Digital Decade accessible for everyone, promoting research, job creation, and innovation through better and safer robots while safeguarding ethical aspects of progress.

The proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down harmonized rules on artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act) was introduced on April 21, 2021. Its objective is to ensure AI systems are safe and respect existing laws on fundamental rights and Union values, ensure legal certainty, enhance governance and effective enforcement, and facilitate the development of a single market for AI applications.

Prohibited AI practices include those that contravene Union values, and restrictions and safeguards will be put in place for remote biometric identification systems for law enforcement purposes. High-risk AI systems will be subject to mandatory requirements for trustworthy AI and conformity assessment procedures, while transparency obligations will be imposed on chatbots and deep fakes.

As the world watches, Europe takes the lead in pioneering rules for generative AI systems. This bold move sets the stage for a future where AI is not only advanced but also safe and respectful of fundamental rights and values.