The European Union has approved a broad regulation on Artificial Intelligence: it is the first of its kind worldwide, an important first step towards the legal control of AI
The AI Act was born after a long meeting that lasted over 36 hours. What is it about? Quickly said: the first version of a new European regulation that will regulate Artificial Intelligence and which aims to define limits and rules for this sector. The declared aim is not, obviously, to limit research in the field of AI, but, on the contrary, to allow its development and adoption within the European Community by ensuring that AI is a beneficial factor for society. There was already a coordinated plan to address the problems related to Artificial Intelligence at European level, but with the agreement recently reached the EU has clearly expressed its desire to accelerate and align priorities with the current global technological landscape.
In short, there is a need for a unified and certain strategy for AI and, as stated by the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, the objective of the legislation is to “guarantee that the development of AI does not harm the rights fundamentals, democracy, the rule of law and environmental sustainability.”
All this, while at the same time stimulating innovation and making Europe, if possible, a leader in the sector.
“The European law on Artificial Intelligence” – was the comment of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen – “represents a novelty on a global level. A unique legal framework for the development of technology that can be trusted, guaranteeing the security and fundamental rights of people and businesses.”
n this sense, the AI Act appears to be more than a regulation. In fact, it represents a significant assistance for EU startups and researchers, who will be able to invest energy and resources to lead the race towards Artificial Intelligence. “The best is yet to come” – concluded Thierry Breton. “This agreement is a historic moment for digital Europe, it is cutting-edge, responsible and comprehensive legislation that sets global standards.”
The Commission plans to invest over one billion euros per year in AI, and to facilitate further investments from the private sector and Member States to reach an annual investment volume of around €20 billion over the course of the digital decade. This is why the first step towards a European legal framework for AI is characterized by a clear and easy-to-understand approach, based on the identification and regulation of four different levels of risk: minimum risk, high risk, unacceptable risk and specific risk of transparency. By also providing some specific rules for general-purpose AI models, this regulation promises to serve as a guide for the rest of the world – and it certainly intends to.
