Analysis

Passing AI Act marks beginning rather than end of efforts to legislate for artificial intelligence

The Act was passed with 523 votes in favour, but it may be many years before all its elements become law

The EU’s AI Act will likely become the blueprint used by other jurisdictions as they wrestle with how to safeguard citizens while also trying not to dampen innovation. Picture: Getty Images

The passing of the EU’s AI Act, while not surprising, is warmly welcomed. The strength of the vote, with 523 votes in favour, 46 against and 49 abstentions, is evidence that politicians from all sides of the spectrum are broadly in favour of the legislation.

“We finally have the world’s first binding law on artificial intelligence, to reduce risks, create opportunities, combat discrimination, and bring transparency,” Brando Benifei, Internal Market Committee co-rapporteur, said during the plenary ...