“The AI Act advances the development of AI toward human control of technology, and technology will help us accelerate new discoveries for economic growth, social progress, and unleashing human potential. people,” said Dragos Tudorache, the MP overseeing the EU’s discussion of the bill.
Accordingly, the passage of the AI management law is not the “end point” for this technology field, instead it is the starting point for a new governance model built on technology.
Legal experts say the law is an important milestone for international AI regulation and could pave the way for other countries to follow.
Passage of the legislation, said Mark Ferguson, public policy expert at Pinsent Masons, is just the beginning and businesses will need to work closely with lawmakers to understand how it will be implemented.
“Once again, the EU has gone ahead, developing a comprehensive set of regulations,” said Steven Farmer, partner and AI expert at international law firm Pillsbury. “The bloc acted early on data management efforts and the same with AI.”
However, it is not without concerns. Emma Wright, partner at law firm Harbottle & Lewis, is concerned that the provisions of this law could quickly become outdated as technology is a fast-moving and constantly evolving field.
“The pace of technological change as seen with the launch of AI from late last year to now, a possible complication is that the EU AI Act could quickly become outdated, especially if one considers according to the implementation time frame”.
With 523 votes in favor, 46 votes against and 49 abstentions, the EU AI Act was officially passed, expected to take effect next May, after the final legislative processes are conducted. The contents will be implemented step by step from 2025 onwards.
