On Tuesday, 20 June, consumer associations in 13 EU countries alerted their national authorities so that they would launch investigations into the risks posed by generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
“Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, has opened up all kinds of possibilities for consumers, but there are serious concerns about how these systems might deceive, manipulate, and harm people,” commented Deputy Director General Ursula Pachl of the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC).
These demands on the part of consumer associations were made the same day that a Norwegian consumer organisation published a report bringing to light the “many risks” of generative AI as well as the existing rules that can protect consumers and those that still need to be developed.
Consequently, the associations are also calling on their national authorities to use all existing legislative tools so as to limit the risks while they wait for the Council of the EU and the European Parliament to reach an agreement on the future Digital Services Act (see EUROPE 13201/1).
The first round of interinstitutional negotiations took place in Strasbourg on 14 June, a few hours after the European Parliament had decided on its position. The stated aim is to reach an agreement before the end of the parliamentary term in 2024. Nevertheless, foreseen rules on generative AI systems could—at the request of the co-rapporteur on the dossier, Brando Benifei (S&D, Italian)—be implemented before the final text comes into force (see EUROPE 13204/27). (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)