EU Agrees On World’s First Artificial Intelligence Rules, But AI Struggles

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

BRUSSELS (Worthy News) – Artificial Intelligence (AI) struggled to explain Sunday all its limitations to users interested in the world’s first AI rules unveiled by the European Union.

The European Parliament said the new deal sets a global precedent, with the EU poised to be the first major region to implement AI legislation.

“Historic! The EU becomes the very first continent to set clear rules for the use of AI,” EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, argued on social media. “The AI Act is much more than a rulebook — it’s a launch pad for EU startups and researchers to lead the global AI race.”

Yet AI, seen by critics as often being overly selective on issues such as climate change or even the Bible, struggled to answer Worthy News about the EU deal announced over the weekend.

“As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, the European Union was in the process of developing regulations for AI,” he, or she, or it answered. “The EU was working on a proposal for a legal framework to address the ethical and legal challenges posed by artificial intelligence. However, specific rules may have evolved since then. I recommend checking the latest sources or the official EU website for the most up-to-date information on AI regulations in the European Union,” the AI application suggested to the Worthy News reporter.

With AI not in a hurry to give more details, it was up to European Union negotiators to explain the world’s first comprehensive artificial intelligence rules.

The accord paves the way for legal oversight of technology used in popular generative AI services such as ChatGPT, interviewed Sunday by a Worthy News reporter.

EU NEGOTIATORS

Negotiators from the European Parliament and the bloc’s 27 member countries overcame significant differences over the weekend on generative AI and police use of facial recognition to sign a tentative political agreement for the Artificial Intelligence Act.

The European Parliament and member states “have finally reached a political agreement on the Artificial Intelligence Act!” the parliamentary committee co-leading the body’s negotiating efforts added.

Yet officials provided few details on what will make it into the eventual law, which will not take effect until 2025 at the earliest.

While generative AI systems such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT wowed passive users with their ability to ‘think’ for them with text, photos, and lyrics for songs, they also caused concerns about truthfulness, jobs, privacy, and copyright.

The recent boom in generative AI sent European officials rushing to update a proposal poised to serve as a blueprint for the world.

The AI Act was initially designed to limit perceived dangers from AI functions based on their level of risk, from low to unacceptable.

But politicians pushed to expand it to “foundation models,” the systems used for AI services including ChatGPT and technology giant Google’s Bard chatbot, sources with knowledge about the talks said.

THORNIEST TOPIC

What reportedly became the thorniest topic was AI-powered facial recognition surveillance systems, but negotiators found a compromise after intensive bargaining.

European politicians wanted a total ban on public use of facial scanning and other “remote biometric identification” systems amid privacy concerns. Yet governments of EU member states sought exemptions as law enforcement could use them to tackle “serious crimes such as child sexual exploitation or terrorist attacks.”

At the same time, the EU also did not want to be left out in the AI race with European companies developing similar technologies.

Now, nations such as Britain as well as China and global groups have jumped in with their own proposals to regulate AI, though after this weekend’s announcement they will have to catch up with the EU.

Once the final version of the EU’s AI Act is worked out, the text needs approval from the bloc’s whopping 705 legislators before they break up for EU-wide elections next year. However, that vote was expected to be a formality.

Asked by Worthy News how does it feels about being regulated, AI said: “I don’t have personal feelings as I am a machine learning model created by OpenAI. However, the regulation of AI is often aimed at ensuring ethical use, accountability, and avoiding potential risks. Proper regulation can contribute to responsible AI development and deployment, benefiting both users and society.”

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