European Parliament adopted the Artificial Intelligence package

European Parliament is among the first institutions to put forward recommendations on what AI rules should include with regards to ethics, liability and intellectual property rights. These recommendations will feed into the Commission legislative proposals laying down requirements for AI that is expected to be announced by the end of the year. 

The package, which represents a response to the European Commission’s White Paper on AI, is composed of three separate reports: ethical aspects of AI systems, civil liability regime for AI and intellectual property rights (IPRs).  

1. Report on a framework of ethical aspects of AI, robotics and related technologies

• The report by MEP Ibán García del Blanco (S&D, ES) embraces recommendations on safe and ethical use of AI and new technologies. Through the report, the Commission is urged to develop an effective, comprehensive and future-proof regulatory framework. 
• As regards healthcare, the rapporteur pointed out that the Parliament strongly supports the creation of a European Health Data Space to promote health-data exchange and support research, in full respect of data protection.

2. Report with recommendations to the Commission on a civil liability regime for AI

• The rapporteur Axel Voss (EPP, DE) called for a civil liability regime for high-risk AI systems, to ensure that a person who has suffered harm or damage is entitled to claim. Through the introduction of liability rules for different risks related to AI, the rapporteur made those operating high-risk AI strictly liable for any damage. The rules cover any activity that harms or damages life, health, physical integrity and property. Mr. Voss also considered healthcare as a high-risk sector.  

3. Report on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) for the development of AI technologies 

• The rapporteur Stéphane Séjourné (Renew Europe, FR) highlighted that there is a need to conduct an impact assessment as regards the protection of IPRs, since this issue has not been yet addressed. A point frequently raised throughout the report is that the EU has the potential to become the frontrunner in the creation of AI technologies. 

The Commission is expected to take into account the European Parliament's contribution on Artificial Intelligence and announce follow-up actions to the White Paper on Artificial Intelligence before the end of this year. More clarity on legislative proposals covering security, liability, fundamental rights and data aspects of artificial intelligence for 2021 should be announced soon.