Prepare for EU AI Law, EC Official Advises US Firms

U.S. companies selling AI products into Europe will be subject to EU AI laws no matter where they're headquartered, European Commission Legal and Policy Officer Gabriele Mazzini said on a Thursday FCBA webinar. A legislation proposal, which the EC floated in April (see 2104210003), would affect anyone marketing AI into the EU, said Mazzini, of the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology. The EC made clear it wants to promote its vision of AI regulation globally, so similar policies may arise elsewhere, including in the U.S., said Verizon Senior Manager-EU Public Policy Marco Moragon. The proposal aims to address risks of AI technologies, such as enforcement of fundamental rights, consumer and other laws, said Mazzini. Protecting democratic rights and legal principles is a top priority for civil society, said Iverna McGowan, Center for Democracy and Technology Europe Office director: AI could disproportionately affect vulnerable people. Verizon operates in EU markets and wants a consistent, harmonized regime, said Moragon. CDT believes a risk-based and rights-based approach to AI isn't mutually exclusive, said McGowan. She seeks a baseline against which to assess the technology's possible impact on human rights, saying a rights-based approach should start by consulting people about how AI services affect their real-life experiences. The proposal divides AI systems into three groups: prohibited, where there's no societal value from their use; higher risk, which may pose problems but can have beneficial societal/economic benefits; and low risk, where no prior rules will be imposed, but companies will be subject to transparency requirements, said Mazzini. Companies must self-assess risk, which may be burdensome to smaller firms, said Moragon. When the measure refers to users, it means purchasers of AI systems, not end users, said McGowan: Accountability should be clearer on what rights and redress end-users get. A European Parliament decision on which committees will have jurisdiction here isn't likely before September, Mazzini added.