British journalist Mike Wooldridge poses with Ai-Da Robot during a photo call for the Royal Institution's Christmas Lectures at The Royal Institution on December 11, 2023 in London, England. (PHOTO: VCG)

By TANG Zhexiao

The world has its first comprehensive rules on the use of AI. This came after European Union lawmakers and member states reached a provisional agreement on regulating artificial intelligence on December 8.

According to the EU Council, technical work will continue in the coming weeks to finalize the regulation details, and it will not take effect until 2025 at the earliest. 

The new rules established obligations for providers and users depending on the level of risk from artificial intelligence said the European Parliament. It includes safeguards on the use of AI within the EU, including clear guardrails on its adoption by law enforcement agencies, consumers have been empowered to launch complaints against any perceived violations, as well as the additions to the initial proposal by the European Commission.

The European Commission proposed the first EU regulatory framework for AI in April 2021, which said that AI systems that could be used in different applications are analyzed and classified according to the risk they pose to users. Unacceptable risky AI systems such as real-time and remote biometric identification, and cognitive behavioural manipulation of people or specific vulnerable groups are considered a threat to people and will be banned. 

Strong and comprehensive regulation from the EU could “set a powerful example for many governments considering regulation,” according to Anu Bradford, a law professor with Columbia Law School who is an expert in digital regulation. 

The agreement was described as “historic” by Thierry Breton, the European commissioner for the Internet market, noting it established clear rules for using AI. "The AI Act is much more than a rulebook — it's a launchpad for EU startups and researchers to lead the global AI race," Breton wrote on social media platform X, former Twitter.

Currently, ountries including China, the U.S. and the UK have proposed their AI regulatory initiatives. Other countries “may not copy every provision but will likely emulate many aspects of it”, Bradford told The Guardians.

Others are worries and doubts about the agreement, thinking it is to be perfected. 

Though the agreement will also govern social media platforms and search engines including giants such as TikTok, X and Google, some EU members worried that too much regulation may suppress innovation and affect development of European AI giants. 

Carme Artigas, Spain’s secretary of state for AI, who facilitated the negotiations, said tech companies in France and Germany were fighting for a lighter touch approach to foster innovation among small companies. 

Another concern is remote biometric identification, such as facial recognition in public places, which the EU parliament listed as unacceptable risks while EU members objected the listing, said AFP. The EU Commission proposed this tech could be used in finding missing children and potential victims of crime.