MEPs today largely adopted the regulation governing artificial intelligence systems, known as the AI Act. Presented in April 2021 by the European Commission, this unique legislation in the world took on a new dimension with the arrival, at the end of 2022, of ChatGPT. This system revealed the enormous potential of AI, but also its risks. The dissemination of false photos or videos, larger than life, has thus alerted us to the danger of manipulation of opinion.
Adopted with 523 votes in favor this Wednesday, it constitutes the “first binding and comprehensive rules in the world for reliable AI”, rejoiced the European Commissioner in charge of this file, Thierry Breton. The 27 EU states must now approve the text in April before the law is published in the EU’s Official Journal in May or June.
The legislation provides for a two-tiered approach
“General purpose” AI models will have to comply with transparency obligations as well as European copyright rules.
Systems considered “high risk” – used for example in critical infrastructure, education, human resources, law enforcement – will be subject to stricter requirements. For example, they will have to provide for the establishment of a mandatory impact analysis on fundamental rights.
And artificially generated images, texts or videos must be clearly identified as such.
Many reviews
The text bans citizen rating or mass surveillance systems used in China. The same applies to the remote biometric identification of people in public places, except for certain law enforcement missions such as the prevention of a terrorist threat or the targeted search for victims.
Furthermore, European legislation will be equipped with means of surveillance and sanctions with the creation of a European AI office. It can impose fines ranging from 7.5 to 35 million euros, depending on the offense and the size of the company.
For its part, the world of tech is much more circumspect (read The AI Act, a “rushed” regulation of AI for Michel Paulin (OVHcloud).
Rise of AI in Europe and France
France is also reluctant to the AI Act (read President Macron scratches the AI Act, too strict on foundational models).
The adoption of the AI Act by the European Parliament comes on the same day as the publication of a report from the interministerial committee on generative artificial intelligence on the potential engine of growth for the French economy that AI would represent. The report mentions a potential increase in GDP of 250 to 400 billion euros thanks to AI by 2030.