Governments worldwide are in a race to establish regulations for artificial intelligence (AI), and the European Union (EU) is at a critical juncture with its draft legislation.

On Thursday, a committee of the European Parliament voted to enhance the leading legislative proposal as it progresses towards approval, the Associated Press reported.

This is part of the EU’s ongoing endeavor to establish guidelines and safeguards for AI, which has gained urgency with the rapid advancements of chatbots like ChatGPT.

While AI offers numerous advantages, it also presents new risks and challenges that need to be addressed. Brussels aims to strike a balance by ensuring the responsible and beneficial use of this emerging technology.

Proposed in 2021, the AI Act is a regulatory framework that will oversee the use of artificial intelligence systems across various products and services.

This act introduces a classification system based on four levels of risk, ranging from minimal to unacceptable.

Depending on the level of risk, stricter obligations will be imposed on AI applications, such as ensuring transparency and utilizing reliable data, as reported by the AP.

It can be likened to a “risk management system for AI,” as described by Johann Laux, an expert at the Oxford Internet Institute.

The AI Act aims to establish guidelines and standards to ensure responsible and accountable use of AI technology.

Written by staff