EU Lawmakers Take on Generative AI: What You Need to Know

As a seasoned expert in the world of artificial intelligence, I’ve seen my fair share of regulatory efforts aimed at reigning in AI technologies.

So when news broke that EU lawmakers were looking to tackle generative AI and specifically ChatGPT, I was both intrigued and amused.

After all, if there’s one thing that can be said about generative AI, it’s that it has certainly captured the public’s imagination. But what exactly is behind the EU lawmakers’ efforts to regulate this technology, and what does it mean for the future of AI? Let’s take a closer look.

Generative AI Takes Center Stage

When the European Parliament issued its proposal for the AI Act two years ago, generative AI was not mentioned prominently. The word “chatbot” appeared only once, and references to AI-generated content were referred to as Deepfakes: audio or images designed to mimic humans.

However, since the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November, the technology has generated both awe and anxiety, leading some lawmakers to call for a reevaluation of their regulatory approach.

A New Draft of Legislation

In April, a new draft of legislation was issued, one that included provisions specifically aimed at regulating generative AI.

The legislation is intended to help identify copyright protection to keep AI in check. For the first time, the interviews revealed the four lawmakers and two close sources to discussions.

In just eleven days, a group of politicians was able to hammer out what might become landmark legislation and reshape the regulatory landscape for OpenAI and its competitors.

The Future of AI

While the draft legislation has not yet been finalized, it represents a significant step forward in the regulation of generative AI.

For those of us in the industry, it’s clear that AI technologies like ChatGPT are not going away anytime soon, so it’s encouraging to see lawmakers taking a proactive approach to understanding and managing these technologies.

However, as with any regulatory effort, there is always the risk of unintended consequences.

It will be important for lawmakers to continue engaging with AI experts to ensure that any regulations are grounded in a thorough understanding of the technology and its potential impacts.

In the end, it’s clear that generative AI will continue to be a hot topic in the years to come. As an AI expert, I’m excited to see how these technologies develop and what new innovations they will bring.

And as always, I’m eager to be a part of the conversation around how we can ensure that AI is used for good and not harm.

The Last-Minute Changes to the EU’s Regulations on AI Chatbots

Are you ready to witness the impact of ChatGPT and other AI chatbots on the regulatory landscape of AI?

As the AI market is becoming more saturated, major tech companies like OpenAI, Midjourney, and Anthropic are investing in generative AI startups to keep up with the competition.

However, the massive popularity and usage of AI chatbots have resulted in Thierry Breton, EU industry chief, and other policymakers requesting for restrictions to be placed on these AI chatbots.

But that’s not all! Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and Twitter, backed by an organization, issued an open letter warning of the existential risk from Artificial Intelligence and requesting stricter regulations.

To make things more interesting, various MEPs involved in drafting and legislation signed the open letter and agreed to some parts of Musk’s open letter, urging world leaders to hold a summit to find methods to control the further development of AI.

The discussions were so sensitive that anonymity was requested, according to four sources present during the discussions.

On the same day, Brando Benifei and Dragos Turdorache proposed changes that would require companies with generative AI systems to reveal any copyrighted material that has been utilized while training the models.

The proposal received the support of the cross-party, showcasing consensus and shared understanding.

Although Axel Voss, a conservative MEP, proposed requiring companies to ask for approval before using data or information from rightsholders.

This proposal was ultimately rejected due to being too restrictive and raising the chances of stifling the growing industry. Instead, the EU presented laws and rules to reach an uncomfortable level of transparency in the secretive industry.

Tudorache stated, “I was quite surprised at how efficiently we converged on what should be in the text on these models,” which signifies the MEPs’ ability to work together and make changes in the industry.

The voting by the committee on the deal will take place on May 11th, and if it’s successful, the process will be moved forward to the next stage of negotiations, the trialogue.

In this stage, the members of EU states will be discussing the content with the European Commission and Parliament.

Why the Sudden Changes?

Ever since ChatGPT was launched back in November 2022, it has become one of the best AI chatbots in the market, leading other tech giants to create their AI chatbot and invest in generative AI startups.

However, as the usage of AI chatbots increases, so does the need for regulation.

The fear of existential risk from Artificial Intelligence is also contributing to the push for regulation.

Elon Musk’s open letter and organization, backed by his authority and reputation, further highlights the urgency of the situation.

The Changes Proposed

The changes proposed involve requiring companies with generative AI systems to reveal any copyrighted material used in training models, promoting transparency in the industry.

The proposal received cross-party support, demonstrating shared understanding and consensus among MEPs.

Axel Voss proposed requiring companies to ask for approval before using data or information from rightsholders.

However, this proposal was rejected due to its restrictive nature and the potential to stifle the growing industry.

Big Brother Against The Terminator: Why Generative AI Is Finally Getting The Attention It Deserves

Generative AI, also known as artificial intelligence that is capable of creating new content, has been a topic of debate for a while.

While some experts have hailed it as a significant step forward for AI technology, others have expressed concerns about its potential misuse.

For a long time, European lawmakers were unconvinced that generative AI warranted any special attention. However, recent developments have changed their minds, and generative AI is now being given the attention it deserves.

MPs were initially hesitant to regulate generative AI

In February, Romanian MEP, Dacian Ciolos Tudorache, stated that generative AI would not be covered in depth. He expressed concerns over data protection and stated that he was more concerned about “Big Brother” than the “Terminator.”

However, Tudorache acknowledged that generative AI requires laws that specifically target its usage.

New proposals for generative AI

Among the new proposals that target “base models,” software companies such as OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, would have to reveal any copyrighted material such as articles, books, blogs, images, videos, and more to train their AI models. In recent months, allegations of copyright infringement have rocked the AI industry, with Getty Images suing Stable Diffusion and OpenAI being criticized for refusing to share details of their datasets.

Calls for a ban on ChatGPT

MEP Svenja Hahn stated that various calls have taken place from outside and inside Parliament regarding placing a ban or classification of ChatGPT at high risk.

However, the final compromise is favorable to innovation since it doesn’t classify these models as being at “high risk” but instead sets requirements for quality and transparency.

Why generative AI is finally getting the attention it deserves

Generative AI is no longer seen as just another AI technology, but as something that requires specific attention and regulation.

Its potential misuse, especially in the context of copyright infringement, has made lawmakers sit up and take notice. The fact that generative AI can create new content that is almost indistinguishable from human-generated content has also raised concerns about its potential misuse.

What is the EU AI regulation proposed?

The EU AI regulation proposed is a set of rules and guidelines designed to regulate the development, deployment, and use of AI systems in the European Union.

What is Artificial Intelligence Act? What is the European approach for AI?

The Artificial Intelligence Act is a proposed regulation by the European Union to set ethical and legal guidelines for the development and deployment of AI systems in the EU. The European approach for AI focuses on ensuring the safety, transparency, and accountability of AI systems.

What is the EU AI Act Brookings?

The EU AI Act, also known as the Artificial Intelligence Act, is a proposed regulation by the European Union to regulate the development and deployment of AI systems in the EU. Brookings is a non-profit public policy organization that provides research and analysis on various policy issues, including AI.

What is Annex 1 of the AI Act?

Annex 1 of the AI Act is a set of requirements and standards that AI systems must meet to be deemed trustworthy and compliant with EU regulations.

What is the EU AI Act a summary of its significance and scope?

The EU AI Act is a significant regulatory proposal aimed at ensuring the safe and ethical development and deployment of AI systems in the EU. Its scope includes establishing requirements for AI systems, setting transparency and accountability measures, and imposing penalties for non-compliance.

What is AI and the 4 approaches?

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, refers to the development of intelligent machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. The 4 approaches to AI include reactive machines, limited memory machines, theory of mind, and self-aware AI.

What is the timeline EU AI regulation?

The timeline for the EU AI regulation is currently under development, with the proposal expected to be reviewed and debated by the European Parliament and Council in the coming months.

What is the impact of EU’s new data protection regulation on AI?

The EU’s new data protection regulation, known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), has significant implications for AI systems that process personal data. It requires that AI systems be transparent in their data processing, obtain consent for data collection, and provide individuals with the right to access and control their data.

What is the European AI Alliance of the European Commission?

The European AI Alliance is a platform established by the European Commission to encourage dialogue and collaboration on AI-related issues between various stakeholders, including businesses, academia, civil society, and policymakers.

Has the AI Act passed?

The AI Act has not yet passed and is still in the proposal stage, with the European Parliament and Council expected to review and debate the proposal in the coming months.

What is AI Act and AI liability directive?

The AI Act and the AI liability directive are two separate regulatory proposals by the European Union aimed at regulating the development and deployment of AI systems and establishing liability frameworks for AI-related damages.

Conclusion

Generative AI is a significant step forward for AI technology, but it needs to be regulated and monitored to ensure that it is used for the benefit of society. The recent developments in the EU are a positive sign, and lawmakers are taking steps to ensure that generative AI is used responsibly.

By setting requirements for quality and transparency, the EU is striking a balance between innovation and regulation, ensuring that generative AI can continue to flourish while protecting the rights of individuals and society as a whole.