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Written by Tambiama Madiega (3rd edition, updated on 11.03.2024).
European Union lawmakers reached a political agreement on the draft artificial intelligence (AI) act in December 2023. Proposed by the European Commission in April 2021, the draft AI act, the first binding worldwide horizontal regulation on AI, sets a common framework for the use and supply of AI systems in the EU. It offers a classification for AI systems with different requirements and obligations tailored on a ‘risk-based approach’. Some AI systems presenting ‘unacceptable’ risks are prohibited. A wide range of ‘high-risk’ AI systems that can have a detrimental impact on people’s health, safety or on their fundamental rights are authorised, but subject to a set of requirements and obligations to gain access to the EU market. AI systems posing limited risks because of their lack of transparency will be subject to information and transparency requirements, while AI systems presenting only minimal risk for people will not be subject to further obligations. The regulation also provides specific rules for general purpose AI (GPAI) models and lays down more stringent requirements for GPAI models with ‘high-impact capabilities’ that could pose a systemic risk and have a significant impact on the internal market.
The provisional agreement has been endorsed by the Committee of Permanent Representatives of EU Member States and by Parliament’s two lead committees. Parliament’s plenary vote on the final agreement is scheduled for the March plenary session. The AI act must also be endorsed by Council and published in the EU’s Official Journal before entering into force.
Complete version
- March 2024: Artificial intelligence act (3rd edition)
| Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the council laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (artificial intelligence act) and amending certain Union legislative acts |
| Committees responsible: | Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) (jointly under Rule 58) | COM(2021)206 21.04.2021 |
| Rapporteurs: | Brando Benifei (S&D, Italy) and Dragoş Tudorache (Renew, Romania) | 2021/0106(COD) |
| Shadow rapporteurs: | Deirdre Clune, Axel Voss (EPP); Petar Vitanov (S&D); Svenja Hahn, (Renew); Sergey Lagodinsky, Kim Van Sparrentak (Greens/EFA); Rob Rooken, Kosma Złotowski (ECR); Jean‑Lin Lacapelle, Jaak Madison (ID); Cornelia Ernst, Kateřina Konecna (The Left) | Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) |
| Next steps expected: Final first-reading vote in plenary |
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