The European Union (EU) has made history by officially approving the world’s first Landmark Artificial Intelligence (AI) Legislation.
The Council of the European Union unanimously adopted the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act on Tuesday, which will take effect 20 days after its publication in the EU’s official journal.
Landmark Legislation
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Telecommunications, Petra De Sutter, celebrated the approval, calling it a “historic day.” She stated, “We adopted the AI act, the first law of its kind in the world that ensures human-centric, innovative, and safe artificial intelligence for our citizens and businesses.”
Regulatory Framework
The AI Act introduces a “risk-based approach” to regulation, imposing stricter rules on AI systems that pose higher risks. The legislation categorizes AI systems according to their risk levels and establishes several governing bodies to enforce the regulations. These include an AI office, a panel of independent scientific experts, an AI board, and a stakeholder advisory forum. The act also addresses and regulates general-purpose AI models.
Legislative Process
The journey of the AI Act began with a provisional agreement between the Council of the EU and the European Parliament in December 2023. The act was officially passed by Parliament in March 2024. The Council’s unanimous approval on Tuesday was the final step needed for the act to become law.
Harmonizing AI Standards
The AI Act aims to create a unified legal framework for AI systems across the EU, improving the internal market’s functioning. This framework seeks to protect individuals’ health, safety, and fundamental rights, as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. It also ensures AI technologies comply with crucial EU legislations, including Articles 2 and 6 of the Treaty on European Union and the Charter.
Addressing Technological Challenges
Mathieu Michel, Belgian Secretary of State for Digitization, Administrative Simplification, Privacy Protection, and Building Regulation, emphasized the importance of the AI Act. He remarked, “The adoption of the AI Act is a significant milestone for the European Union. This landmark law, the first of its kind in the world, addresses a global technological challenge that also creates opportunities for our societies and economies.”
The AI Act sets a global precedent for AI regulation, aiming to foster a safe, innovative, and human-centric AI environment within the EU.
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