European Union Takes A Step Closer To Passing Comprehensive AI Legislation

The European Union's AI Act is a step closer to becoming the world's first comprehensive legislation governing AI technology. European lawmakers have agreed on tougher draft legislation, with new rules around the use of facial recognition, biometric surveillance, and other AI applications.

Under the proposed legislation, AI tools will be classified according to their level of risk, with governments and companies having different obligations depending on the risk level. The bill also bans the use of facial recognition in public spaces and predictive policing tools.

The negotiations forced conservative and left-wing MEPs to meet halfway, resulting in a compromise that would regulate AI proportionately, protect civil rights, and boost innovation and the economy.

The bill will be put to a plenary vote of the European Parliament in June before final terms are agreed in "trilogue" talks involving representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission.

After the terms are finalized and the bill becomes law, there will be a grace period of around two years to allow affected parties to comply with the regulations. This vote is a milestone in regulating AI and a clear signal that fundamental rights should be a cornerstone of that.