The proposal for a directive on artificial intelligence (AI) liability, which the European Commission planned to withdraw from its work programme by the end of the year (see EUROPE 13578/12), continues to be examined in the Committee on Internal Market (IMCO), as originally scheduled.
This intent creates a singular situation, which sees the rapporteur for the draft opinion, Poland’s Kosma Złotowski (ECR), strongly oppose the retention of the proposal. “I hope this is the last time we meet to discuss it”, he said in committee on Tuesday 18 March, announcing that he had submitted a request for withdrawal.
His colleague Arba Kokolari (EPP, Swedish) asked the MEPs in favour of the text to “abandon” this directive. The same goes for Renew Europe, whose German MEP Svenja Hahn said she was “convinced that burying this directive is a good thing for AI”.
“There is no known case that is not already covered by current legislation, there is no gap or loophole”, she said, in response to the statements made by her socialist and environmentalist colleagues.
They maintain that adoption of the directive would “fill” a gap in protection and improve harmonisation of European rules.
“Without a uniform liability regime, it will be very complicated for injured parties to assert their rights”, said Elisabeth Grossmann (S&D, Austrian).
The Commission still has six months from the adoption of the position of the Parliament and the Council to decide whether to withdraw or retain the directive. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)