AIG Newsletter 26 June 2023

NEWS

PARLIAMENT ADOPTS AI ACT REPORT 

On 14 June, the Parliament adopted its AI Act report, with 499 votes in favour, 28 against and 9 abstentions. Although some MEPs voiced concerns about amendments tabled by the EPP on biometric recognition, they were relieved by the rejection of these amendments during the vote. MEPs adopted a definition of AI that was in line with the OECD’s, a decision taken to encourage a standardised internationally recognised definition. The text also contains rules to regulate Generative AI systems, such as ChatGPT.

BENIFEI OP-ED ON TIGHTER GUARDRAILS FOR AI  

Brando Benifei, MEP and corapporteur on AI regulation, released an oped on the Parliament’s decision to adopt common rules for EUMS on AI. Benifei noted in his commentary that the regulation must marry different problems and objectives, ranging from the creation of a governance system to the introduction of obligations and prohibitions for providers and users. You can read the full oped here.

INCOMING SPANISH PRESIDENCY ANNOUNCES ITS PRIORITIES 

On 15 June, the incoming Spanish Presidency outlined its priorities on its website. The Presidency will begin on 1 July and will end on 31 December. The key priorities range from movement towards the digital and ecological transition to concrete actions to combat climate change. Other priorities include the promotion of strategic industries and technologies in Europe, the expansion of trade relationships, support for Ukraine, the introduction of minimum and common standards of corporation tax and the completion of the unions for banking and capital markets.

IMCO DRAFT REPORT ON GEO-BLOCKING REGULATION 

On 15 June, the IMCO committee published its draft report on the implementation of the 2018 geo-blocking regulation in the digital single market, which focuses on the removal of unjustified geographical restrictions on the sale of goods and services within the EU. The draft report noted a decrease in geo-blocking of websites but emphasised the need to strengthen the right to passive sales and to address selective distribution. It also acknowledged the specific challenges in the audiovisual sector. You can read the full draft report here.

EMPL AND CULT DRAFT REPORT ON EU FRAMEWORK FOR CULTURAL AND CREATIVE SECTORS 

The EMPL and CULT committees published their draft report on an EU framework to address the professional situation of artists and workers in the cultural and creative sectors. The report highlighted the poor working conditions faced by artists and cultural professionals, ranging from low pay to short-term contracts. The report called for the creation of a union framework, with a focus on status recognition, fair remuneration and education and training. It also recommended the collection of data and for best practices to be shared, along with the development of guidelines and tools to address these issues. The Commission was asked to submit proposals for the creation of the framework and to report regularly on its implementation. You can read the full draft report here. 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

27 June: Digital Services Act Stakeholder event, DG CNECT

29 June: Meet the Future of AI: Countering Sophisticated & Advanced Disinformation, AI4Trust

29 June: How to Use AI To Your Marketing Advantage, IAB Europe

11 July: Creative and cultural industries form the R&D perspective conference, Spanish Presidency

14 Sept: EDAA Summit