MEPs approved, on Tuesday 3 May, the report by Axel Voss (EPP, Germany) on artificial intelligence (AI) (495 votes in favour, 34 against, 102 abstentions). The report, which sets out a roadmap to 2030 for closing the EU’s AI gap, was adopted in the European Parliament committee on 22 March (see EUROPE 12917/23).
In detail, the report points to the fact that AI could have significant benefits in addressing issues such as climate change, pandemics, medicine and the labour market.
However, this cannot be done without striking a balance with respect for fundamental rights, the report stresses, including the protection of privacy.
Several MEPs, during the debate held earlier on Tuesday 3 May, also expressed concerns about the potential abuses of certain AI systems, such as facial recognition in public spaces and surveillance.
“The EU must use this unique opportunity to put forward a reliable and human-centred approach to AI, one based on fundamental rights that controls risks, while fully reaping the benefits that AI brings to society as a whole”, said Mr Voss.
Furthermore, the report points out that the EU is lagging behind in the field of AI and calls on the EU not to legislate on AI as a technology, but to opt for a level of regulatory intervention proportionate to the risks involved in an AI system. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)