EU approves landmark AI law, leapfrogging US to regulate critical but worrying new technology

European Union lawmakers have approved a new law governing artificial intelligence (AI), putting the EU ahead of the United States in regulating this technology. The law bans certain uses of AI, such as social scoring systems and AI tools used to guess personal information. It also prohibits the use of AI to interpret emotions and some forms of automated profiling. ‘High-risk’ uses of AI, including education and hiring, will be subject to transparency requirements. Companies like OpenAI will have to disclose information about their powerful AI models. The law also requires clear labeling of AI-generated deepfakes. The law will take effect in about two years. The EU’s quick response to the increased popularity of AI tools contrasts with the United States, which has yet to make progress in federal legislation for AI.