European Union: New restrictions on Artificial Intelligence passed

Written by: Carmine Miklovis; Edited by: Helen Lallos-Harrell

On Friday, February 2nd, The European Union (EU) moved to impose regulations on the usage of artificial intelligence (AI) in a move that may set a precedent for future responses to other developments in emerging technology. 

This agreement, which creates limitations on the use of certain types of AI, including the gradual implementation of law to criminalize deepfakes, comes after the cumulation of tense negotiations between European states. 

France and Germany, two economic powerhouses in the bloc who have taken advantage of recent technological developments to establish robust AI programs, pushed back against the bill’s restrictions, expressing concerns about the bill’s potential to hamstring innovation in the field. To remedy this, negotiators added a slew of measures intended to promote innovation, which ultimately proved sufficient to get the bill across the finish line. Amongst these measures was the promise that Berlin and Paris’ concerns would be addressed, in addition to the creation of the Artificial Intelligence Office, which is responsible for enforcing the act. 

As AI technology evolves rapidly, future debates on the extent to which technologies should be regulated are inevitable, and it’s only a matter of time before other AI frontrunners, such as the U.S. and China, respond to the EU’s action.