EU’s AI Act passes crucial parliament vote

13 February 2024
By Sam Clark
MLex correspondent

The world’s first artificial intelligence legislation took an important step towards approval today, as EU lawmakers voted in favor of a compromise agreed with European capitals.

A joint internal market and civil liberties committee of the European Parliament approved the AI Act by an “overwhelming majority,” the chair of the internal market committee, Anna Cavazzini said after the vote, which took place this morning. The vote was 71-8 in favor with 7 abstentions.

The vote follows a similar approval by ambassadors from EU national governments at a meeting at the start of this month.

There were doubts ahead of that meeting about whether France and Germany would support the legislation, after they raised last-minute concerns during political negotiations over rules on foundation models.

The approval by national governments and the parliamentary committee means the law is now all but passed. It must be rubber-stamped by the entire EU parliament and national ministers.

Following the vote this morning, Cavazzini hailed what she called “the first AI act in the world.”

Brando Benifei, one of the two EU parliament lawmakers who led negotiations, said in a short speech before the vote that today is a “historic day because we are the first in the world to have such a comprehensive legislation on artificial intelligence, that hopefully will pave the way for a human-centric model for AI all over the world.”

Specialists in data privacy, cybersecurity and tech regulation, competition, mergers & acquisitions and more, MLex journalists around the globe are uniquely positioned to break news on AI regulation and litigation as it happens, providing expert analysis on what it means for business, now and in the longer term.

Start your free trial today for real-time access to our news and insights.