EU Parliament recommends stricter liability rules for AI operators

The European Parliament has recommended setting out rules that would make operators liable for damage caused by high-risk artificial intelligence.

EU lawmakers on Tuesday voted in favour with a large majority for an initiative calling for a clear legal framework that aims to deter potentially dangerous activity and protect citizens.

Up to now, producers of AI or products using the technology have been responsible for damages.

The proposal would see increased liability risks for the companies using high-risk AI, for example in medical care or self-driving cars.

It calls for a civil liability framework that would make those operating high-risk AI liable for resulting damage including to life, health, physical integrity, and property.

Lawmakers also called for the EU Commission to compile an exhaustive list of AI systems that carry such risks, which would be regularly updated, and for a new committee to be formed on the topic, which would be advised by experts from science, business and civil society.

Ethical standards for AI

The EU parliament also voted in favour of an initiative for a Europe-wide legal framework to set ethical standards for artificial intelligence, robotics and related technologies.

A third initiative was passed by EU lawmakers urging the commission to take into account intellectual property rights as they relate to AI.

A proposal by the EU commission for an AI legal framework will likely be presented to the EU parliament early next year.