After years of discussions, and when artificial intelligence (AI) has already jumped from fiction to reality and from academic debates to everyday conversations, the European Parliament votes today on the legislative project that, if all goes according to plan, it will become from 2024 the first Law that will regulate AI in the world. Predictably, and as has happened with data protection, in which Europe was also a pioneer, other countries will follow the norm later to develop their own legislation.
The European standard will divide AI technologies into four categories of risk, from minimal to unacceptable. For example, systems that use subliminal techniques or deception to try to manipulate behavior, exploit the vulnerabilities of groups and individuals, or score the social reputation and integrity of citizens will be directly prohibited. Others, depending on the level of risk, will be subject to audits or will have to clarify what kinds of data they use. The intention is to “ensure ethical and human-centered development” of this revolutionary industry, sums up the European Parliament.
“It is a complex standard because we are facing one of the technological revolutions in the history of humanity,” he points out. Sergio de Juan-Creix, collaborating professor of the UOC’s Information and Communication Sciences Department. “You can imagine all the interests at stake: the public consultation processes, different opinions, the lobbies in Brussels, the irruption in this whole process of Chat GPT, which has forced Parliament to include amendments to also regulate this type of generative AI… In short, it couldn’t be more complicated».
The point that has been most debated in recent days is that of the remote biometric identification: «You are walking down the street, and the cameras are recognizing your face and following you», describes Juan-Creix. In principle, this use of AI will be prohibited. However, and according to what he reported Euractivethe European People’s Party wants to make this point more flexible so that, in case of serious crimes or extreme necessity, and with judicial authorization, this kind of system can be used. Until the text finally becomes Law, this and other debates will continue.
The proposal, which has been working on since 2019 and has already gone through the European Commission and the parliamentary committees on the Internal Market and Civil Rights, will be approved today, except by surprise. Although, following the complex European procedure, it must now be submitted to new negotiations in the Council, where the member states participate. As indicated by the Eurocámara, the goal is to reach a provisional agreement before the end of 2023. Finally, Parliament and the Council will have to formally approve it before it becomes Law.