Europe Proposes Strict Rules for Artificial Intelligence

The European Union unveiled strict regulations to govern the use of artificial intelligence, a first-of-its-kind policy that outlines how companies and governments can use a technology seen as one of the most significant, but ethically fraught, scientific breakthroughs in recent memory. The draft rules would set limits around the use of artificial intelligence in a range of activities, from self-driving cars to hiring decisions, bank lending, school enrollment selections, and the scoring of exams. It would also cover the use of artificial intelligence by law enforcement and court systems — areas considered “high risk” because they could threaten people’s safety or fundamental rights. Some uses would be banned altogether, including live facial recognition in public spaces, though there would be several exemptions for national security and other purposes. The 108-page policy is an attempt to regulate an emerging technology before it becomes mainstream.