Some “unacceptable” uses of artificial intelligence would be banned in Europe under proposals unveiled on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European Commission’s rules would ban “AI systems considered a clear threat to the safety, livelihoods and rights of people”, it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is also proposing far stricter rules on the use of biometrics – such as facial recognition being used by law enforcement, which would be limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Breaking the rules could lead to fines of up to 6% of global turnover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the largest technology companies, that could amount to billions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Fundamental rights’
The commission’s digital chief, Margrethe Vestager, said: “On artificial intelligence, trust is a must, not a nice-to-have.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the EU was developing “new global norms” for AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Future-proof and innovation-friendly, our rules will intervene where strictly needed – when the safety and fundamental rights of EU citizens are at stake,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The draft rules face a lengthy approval process and are not yet final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘High risk’
Many of the core ideas were leaked last week, in advance of the announcement, prompting concern from the technology community that it could stifle innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The European Commission’s proposed regime will not sit well with many in the community,” said Nikolas Kairinos, chief executive of Soffos.ai, which makes an AI for employee training in businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Loose definitions like ‘high risk’ are unhelpfully vague.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“An ambiguous, tick-box approach to regulation that is overseen by individuals who may not have an in-depth understanding of AI technology will hardly inspire confidence.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Herbert Swaniker, a technology expert at the law firm Clifford Chance, said the proposed hefty fines gave AI regulation much more power – and was “extremely ambitious” in scope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There’s a lot to do to sharpen some of these concepts,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The fines are one thing – but how will vendors address the significant costs and human input needed to make compliance a reality?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The proposals will force vendors to fundamentally rethink how AI is procured and designed.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The rules would govern what AI was used for, rather than the technology itself, Ms Vestager said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But “AI systems or applications that manipulate human behaviour to circumvent users’ free will”, including “subliminal techniques”, would fall into the banned “unacceptable risk” category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those operating in high-risk areas – such as national infrastructure, education, employment, finance, and law enforcement – would face a series of hurdles before they could be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, CV-sorting software in recruitment or credit-scoring systems for bank loans would have to;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
prove their accuracy and fairness
keep records of all their activity
have “appropriate human oversight”
And all “remote biometric identification” systems – such as the use of facial recognition by police but not using a fingerprint to unlock a phone or a face scan at passport control – would be “subject to strict requirements”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Their live use in publicly accessible spaces for law-enforcement purposes is prohibited in principle,” the commission said, with rare exceptions such as an “imminent terrorist threat”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the vast majority of AI technology would fall into the low-risk category, with far less strict rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rule-based systems
Chatbots in customer service, for example, should simply make clear people are interacting with a machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And simple rule-based systems such as email spam filtering would have no restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European Parliament and EU member states will both consider the proposals – and they are likely likely to change as part of that process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if passed, the regulations would apply “inside and outside the EU” if an AI system was available in the EU “or its use affects people located in the EU”.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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