EU AI Act secures committees’ backing ahead of full parliament vote

The European Parliament’s committees on civil liberties (LIBE) and internal market (IMCO) have overwhelmingly supported draft legislation for regulating artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The vote, 71-8 with seven abstentions, follows negotiations with EU Member States last year.

The EU AI Act, proposed in April 2021, establishes rules based on the power and purpose of AI models. It prohibits certain uses, sets obligations for high-risk applications (like in education or health), and mandates transparency for general purpose AI and tools like deepfakes.

Most AI apps will be considered ‘low risk,’ exempt from the law. National regulatory sandboxes will allow supervised testing of risky apps.

Debate over the AI rulebook intensified due to advances in generative AI. MEPs pushed for broader coverage, while some Member States, led by France, sought exemptions for advanced AI to promote national innovation.

A compromise text emerged from trilogue talks in December but faced opposition. However, a recent vote in a critical Member State indicates probable adoption.

The draft law faces further steps, including a plenary vote in the parliament and Council endorsement. Despite opposition, strong support from the committees suggests eventual adoption.



The phased rollout of the Act will increase legal requirements for developers between 2024 and 2027, with different timelines for various provisions.

While the plenary vote is likely to pass, some opposition remains. The Pirate Party criticizes the law, citing concerns about privacy and surveillance, warning of a dystopian future.