The European Parliament passed a draft law called the EU AI Act on June 14—a leap forward in regulating generative AI in the European Union. We've gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other media outlets.
Final Version of Law Slated Later This Year
The act would restrict the technology's riskiest uses, including curtailing the use of facial recognition software. A final version of the law will be negotiated among the three branches of the EU—the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. A final version of the EU AI Act is not expected to pass until later this year.
Draft Law Passes Overwhelmingly
The final vote on the draft law was 499 in favor, 28 against and 93 abstaining. Emotional recognition, which is used in parts of China to identify tired truck drivers, will be banned at workplaces and in schools under the proposed law. It also would oblige developers of AI chatbots to publish all works of illustrators, journalists, musicians, photographers and scientists used to train them. The trainers would have to prove they trained the machine lawfully. Even if the draft law is finalized this year, it wouldn't take effect until 2026 at the earliest.
Steep Fines Proposed
Under the draft law, all artificial intelligence would be classified under four levels of risk, from minimal to unacceptable. AI that is focused on hiring practices would face tougher scrutiny. Corporate violators would face fines of up to $33 million or 6 percent of the company's annual global revenue under the new regulations.
‘Responsible AI’
"We have made history today," said Brando Benifei, an Italian member of the European Parliament working on the proposal. Benifei added that the lawmakers "set the way" for a dialogue with the rest of the world on building "responsible AI."
In the U.S., Congress is beginning to address AI and might draft specific provisions this fall.
HR Is Embracing ChatGPT, Still Wary of Risks
Legislation aside, HR professionals are worried about how AI will affect their organizations and alter their careers. "If you can start using ChatGPT in a way you feel comfortable, you can be seen as a leader of thought," said Carol Kiburz, vice president of HR for Halff Associates in Richardson, Texas, during the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2023 in Las Vegas on June 13.
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