European AI regulations: friend or foe of innovation and development?

MEP Geert Bourgeois welcomes the ambition of the published Commission proposal to develop a European legislative framework on Artificial Intelligence (AI). “Unified European legislation reinforces the great advantage of our internal market for the development of AI”. Although Geert Bourgeois does warn against excessive administrative burdens that hinder SMEs in the development of AI applications: “AI regulations must contribute to innovation and development. Overregulation has exactly the opposite effect.”

Regulitis

The EU wants a firm approach to AI applications that can pose a high risk to our privacy and health, among other things. “That is more than legitimate, but we have to watch out for ‘regulitis’, a persistent European ailment,” Geert Bourgeois warns. Overregulation stifles creativity, development and innovation. “Very specifically, it is important to ensure that the ‘high risk’ label covers the right connotation. Indeed, many AI developments wrongly fall under this qualification and therefore have to contend with unnecessary and disproportionate administrative burdens. This must be avoided.”

Innovative legislation

The development of Artificial Intelligence requires bold, innovative legislation. Algorithms get better and more efficient the more they are used. “We must therefore have safe but innovative ways to bring AI to market faster. Test facilities are a good first step, but a system such as pre-certification of highly reliable companies must also be negotiable.”

“AI can make a significant contribution to our sustainable development. Let’s keep our approach to this smart and lean from the start,” Geert Bourgeois says.