In a bid to solidify its role as a leading AI regulator, the European Union (EU) is set to convene on Wednesday, 6 December, to discuss and potentially finalize regulations for artificial intelligence systems, including advanced platforms like ChatGPT.
The EU’s overarching goal is to establish a comprehensive policy that ensures the protection of citizens’ rights, privacy, and data.
The journey toward AI regulation began with the European Commission’s proposal for AI legislation two years ago, which sought to regulate AI systems based on the level of risk they posed to citizens.
The European Parliament endorsed this proposed law in June of this year.
Now, the focus has expanded to encompass a deal addressing biometric surveillance and the regulation of platforms such as ChatGPT and Google Bard.
The EU member states and lawmakers are scheduled to engage in discussions starting at 1400 GMT on December 6, with deliberations expected to continue until Thursday, 7 December.
A final agreement must be reached before the rules can be implemented, potentially leading to the establishment of the law ahead of the European parliamentary elections in June.
Highlighting the significance of compromise, particularly regarding generative AI, Dutch Minister for Digitalization Alexandra van Huffelen emphasized the need for the EU to make substantial progress by the end of the year.
The global attention on AI regulation, encompassing General Purpose AI (GPAI), underscores the anticipation from various stakeholders for meaningful and effective legislation on AI.