Expected on Friday 2 May, the fourth version of the Code of Practice for general-purpose Artificial Intelligence models is still causing a stir and could see its publication postponed (see EUROPE 13597/21).
In a letter sent to the European Commission and revealed by Bloomberg, the US government’s mission to the EU is said to have opposed the Code, insisting that it be withdrawn. According to Bloomberg, the letter describes the Code as “excessively burdensome”, and goes so far as to call on the EU to “suspend the entire process” of implementing the AI Act.
The Commission confirmed on Monday 28 April that it had received the letter and produced a response, but maintained that the Code would be presented and implemented.
In its previous version, the Code provoked strong reactions from rights holders and authors’ collectives, who felt that it did not meet the legal requirements for respecting copyright (see EUROPE 13610/3).
These same criticisms were repeated on Monday by the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (see EUROPE 13608/6).
According to Brando Benifei (S&D, Italian), co-chair of the working group on the issue, the obligations regarding respect for fundamental rights and risk management have been largely diluted, or even made voluntary.
“Compliance should not be seen as a burden. Obligations must be strengthened in the final version”, he insisted. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)