AI models complicate EU's efforts to protect fundamental rights: report

Artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT are making it hard for European Union lawmakers to agree on landmark AI laws. It complicates the efforts to draft rules that protect citizens' data.

The rules to protect people from advanced technologies like AI were proposed by the European Commission two years ago. The draft needs to go through a process called trilogue between EU nations and lawmakers before it becomes law. Several lawmakers are expected to reach an understanding and proceed to a trilogue in the next few months.

Daniel Leufer, a senior policy analyst at rights group Access Now, described it as a "fast-moving target". He added that measures like "transparency, quality control, and measures to assert fundamental rights'' are still relevant despite the speed of development. Brando Benifei, an Italian MEP, said the negotiations are quite complex because there are many different committees involved. Lawmakers are dealing with over 3,000 tabled amendments which cover everything from the creation of a new Ai to the scope of the Act.

However, the five-hour meeting on February 13 did not see any resolution because the various facets of the Act did not convince everyone. The complexity and the lack of progress may delay it to next year, reported Reuters.

The EU wants to strike a balance between encouraging innovation and protecting people's rights. Classifying AI tools based on perceived risk is also being discussed.