EU rules should focus on the benefits of artificial intelligence, not on the limitations, according to the legislator

March 23, 2022

Written by Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Europe’s attempt to set iconic rules for artificial intelligence should be positive in order to reap the benefits of technology, not limit it, MEP Svenya Khan said on Tuesday.

The European Commission last year proposed its own rules of artificial intelligence, seeking to take the lead in technology dominated by China and the United States. It will need to discuss details with EU countries and EU lawmakers before they can implement the rules.

The Commission’s proposal provides for fines of up to 6% of global turnover for breaches and strict safeguards for high-risk applications used in recruitment, critical infrastructure, credit scoring, migration and law enforcement.

As the European Parliament and the EU are expected to work out their negotiating positions by the end of the year, Khan and other lawmakers are tasked with finding a compromise.

The potential use of face recognition applications is expected to face EU countries seeking to use them in law enforcement and security scenarios, against the concerns of civil rights groups.

Khan, who is also a member of the inter-party parliamentary committee that adopted a report Tuesday outlining a long-term AI strategy for the EU, said the proposed law would be useful if some ideas from the report were included.

The report says regulators must address fears about artificial intelligence, pointing to the role of technology in combating climate change, promoting innovative health care, increasing the bloc’s competitiveness around the world and strengthening its democratic systems.

“There should be an overall positive approach to artificial intelligence,” she told Reuters, citing a tendency for some to focus on restrictions and bans instead of increasing benefits.

The definition of AI and the types of risks outlined by the Commission need to be improved, Khan said.

“All regulations should be innovation-friendly. It should not include other aspects, such as the GDPR, ”she said, referring to EU privacy rules.

Khan said she was in favor of banning biometric surveillance and social scores.

(Report by Foo Yun Chee; edited by Alison Williams)