Responding to the European Parliament’s adoption of the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) today, Mher Hakobyan, Amnesty International’s Advocacy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence, said: 

“While EU policymakers are hailing the AI Act as a global paragon for AI regulation, the legislation fails to take basic human rights principles on board. 

“Even though adopting the world’s first rules on the development and deployment of AI technologies is a milestone, it is disappointing that the EU and its 27 member states chose to prioritize the interest of industry and law enforcement agencies over protecting people and their human rights. 

While EU policymakers are hailing the AI Act as a global paragon for AI regulation, the legislation fails to take basic human rights principles on board. 

Mher Hakobyan, Amnesty International’s Advocacy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence

“The AI Act offers only limited protections to impacted and marginalized people. It does not ban the reckless use and export of draconian AI technologies, while also failing to ensure equal protection to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Similarly, it lacks proper accountability and transparency provisions, which will likely exacerbate human rights abuses. 

“Countries outside of the EU should learn from the bloc’s failure to adequately regulate AI technologies and must not succumb to pressures by the technology industry and law enforcement authorities whilst developing regulation. States should instead put in place robust and binding AI legislation which prioritizes people and their rights.” 

Background: 

The AI Act is expected to come into force at the end of May 2024. 

Amnesty International, as part of a coalition of civil society organizations led by the European Digital Rights Network (EDRi), has been calling for EU artificial intelligence regulation that protects and promotes human rights, including rights of people on the move.