The European Union has taken the first steps towards regulating artificial intelligence, with its parliament backing a ban on the technology for biometric surveillance, emotion recognition, and predictive policing.
Europe will also seek to require systems such as ChatGPT to indicate that content was generated by AI.
The rules “aim to promote the uptake of human-centric and trustworthy AI and protect the health, safety, fundamental rights and democracy from its harmful effects,” per a press release from the European Parliament on Wednesday.
The measures were passed by 499 votes to 28, with 93 abstentions. Talks will now begin with EU member states on the precise wording of the legislation.
The rules aim to ensure that AI developed and used in Europe complied with EU rights and values including human oversight, safety, privacy, transparency, non-discrimination, and social and environmental wellbeing.
Co-rapporteur Brando Benifei of Italy said Europe had devised a “concrete response” to the potential dangers posed by AI: “We want AI’s positive potential for creativity and productivity to be harnessed but we will also fight to protect our position and counter dangers to our democracies and freedoms.”
Co-rapporteur Dragos Tudorache of Romania said: “The AI Act will set the tone worldwide in the development and governance of artificial intelligence, ensuring that this technology, set to radically transform our societies through the massive benefits it can offer, evolves and is used in accordance with the European values of democracy, fundamental rights, and the rule of law.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates ….
