The European Parliament has given its final approval to comprehensive regulations governing artificial intelligence (AI), which encompass advanced systems like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The legislation received overwhelming support, with 523 EU lawmakers voting in favor and 46 voting against.
The EU’s 27 member states are expected to endorse the law in April, with publication in the bloc’s Official Journal anticipated in May or June, as confirmed by the EU Parliament. The AI Act primarily targets higher-risk applications of the technology in both the private and public sectors. It imposes stricter obligations on providers, mandates greater transparency for powerful models such as ChatGPT, and outright bans tools deemed excessively hazardous.
Senior European Union officials assert that these rules, initially proposed in 2021, are crucial for safeguarding citizens against the rapid development of technology, while also promoting innovation within the continent. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed the approval of the legislation as a “groundbreaking framework for innovative AI, with clear boundaries,” emphasizing its potential to benefit Europe’s talented workforce and serve as a global model for trustworthy AI.
The rush to enact these regulations was prompted by the emergence of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, backed by Microsoft, in late 2022. Its arrival sparked an international AI race, with generative AI technologies captivating the world with their human-like capabilities, such as processing complex text, generating poetry in seconds, and even passing medical exams.
Other notable examples include DALL-E and Midjourney, which generate images, and AI systems that produce sounds based on simple language inputs. However, amidst the excitement, concerns quickly arose about the potential threats posed by AI, particularly the use of AI-generated audio and video deepfakes to amplify disinformation campaigns.
Italian lawmaker Brando Benifei, alongside Romanian MEP Dragos Tudorache, played key roles in steering the legislation through parliament. Tudorache highlighted the delicate balance achieved between fostering innovation and ensuring protection. According to him, the regulations governing AI models like ChatGPT will come into effect 12 months after the law is officially enacted, while companies will have a two-year period to comply with most other provisions.
In summary, the European Parliament’s approval of comprehensive AI regulations marks a significant step towards managing the risks associated with advanced technologies like ChatGPT. The legislation reflects the EU’s commitment to promoting innovation while safeguarding citizens from potential harm. With the impending implementation of these regulations, the EU aims to establish itself as a global leader in responsible AI governance.
