The AI Liability Directive (AILD), which is due to be withdrawn from the Commission’s work programme in the coming months (see EUROPE 13578/12), is causing a stir in the European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Affairs (IMCO).
The rapporteur for the draft opinion, Poland’s Kosma Złotowski (ECR), had already announced that he “rejects the text” as a whole (see EUROPE 13567/9). He reiterated his position on Tuesday 18 February, “welcoming” the Commission’s initiative and arguing that the directive would “merely impose additional barriers”.
His colleague, Arba Kokolari (EPP, Swedish), sided with him, criticising the “botched” legislation and calling for a “competitiveness check” for regulations already in force.
The Social Democrats, The Left and the Greens/EFA, on the other hand, are openly critical of the Commission’s decision.
“It’s absurd to think that having a single system within the EU would be worse than having 27 different ones; I really don’t understand, it’s one of the most problematic things we have in Europe”, said an annoyed Kim van Sparrentak (Greens/EFA, Dutch), deploring a “total lack of understanding” as to why the directive exists.
Her colleague Leïla Chaibi (The Left, French) said that abandoning this directive “means cutting short the regulation of AI in Europe and leaving out critical elements”.
“The S&D and the Greens/EFA are giving the impression that the directive was withdrawn under pressure from the United States - this is false and does not hold water”, insisted Andreas Schwab (EPP, German).
“We need to look at the proper implementation of the AI Act, which is already an extremely new set of regulations, and take action. Perhaps in two or three years’ time we can revise certain points. But until then, we have to remain pragmatic”, he said.
The Commission still has to formalise the withdrawal of the AILD. At this stage, the IMCO Committee plans to continue its examination according to the original timetable. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)