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The member nations of the European Union (EU) on Friday (Feb 2) unanimously agreed to the provisions of the bloc’s Artificial Intelligence Act, marking a significant step towards formally regulating the fast-evolving AI space. The nations reached the deal overcoming reservations from some nations, especially from France, Germany, Austria and Italy. The approval came after tedious negotiations between representatives of the Council, members of the European Parliament and European Commission officials.

<h2>What is&nbsp;EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act?</h2>

The act revolves around regulating the advanced, rapidly evolving space of Artificial Intelligence. It burdens the AI companies with obligations related to privacy, transparency and stress-testing. The act aims at banning the use of AI in certain areas, mostly on use cases considered high-risk.

However, the strict provisions have also stoked fears among observers regarding the slowing down of AI innovation in the EU nations, which could give rival firms in the US and China an edge.

With the AI Act, the EU is one of the first blocs to lay down AI regulations, even as G7 and OECD fail to reach consensus, with most of them resorting to following voluntary guidelines and codes of practice.

<h2>Apprehensions raised by Germany, France and others</h2>

Earlier, the bloc’s top economies, including Germany and France, had hinted that they could throw a spanner in the works of the AI Act. Austria had reservations regarding data protection provisions while Germany and France feared the burden of regulation could weigh down the bloc’s budding AI champions, such as France’s Mistral and Germany’s Aleph Alpha.

Watch:&nbsp;EU achieves agreement on landmark AI rules, becomes first major power to enact AI laws

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Making things worse, even the EU parliament was debating provisions regarding facial recognition rules in the AI Act, with some hawks like MEP Svenja Hahn threatening to derail the talks.

<h2>How were the apprehensions addressed?</h2>

Thanks to the EU’s charm offensive, the concerns were addressed by announcing the creation of the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Office — a body tasked with enforcing the AI Act.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw2pYnsNK01NxuC6fhntFX3u" data-ved="2ahUKEwib6Pzhho2EAxUc-jgGHTjFD6MQxfQBKAB6BAgNEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/european-research-flags-ai-chatbots-for-providing-false-answers-particularly-on-elections-670063" jsname="YKoRaf">European research flags AI chatbots for providing false answers, particularly on elections</a>&nbsp;

The EU Commission is believed to have promised Germany, France and Austria to address all of their concerns before making formal declarations.

<h2>What next?</h2>

The act would require approval from EU parliament, and a plenary vote is expected in April. 
Some hawkish lawmakers might still try to derail the process.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The member nations of the European Union (EU) on Friday (Feb 2) unanimously agreed to the provisions of the bloc’s Artificial Intelligence Act, marking a significant step towards formally regulating the fast-evolving AI space.

The member nations of the European Union (EU) on Friday (Feb 2) unanimously agreed to the provisions of the bloc’s Artificial Intelligence Act, marking a significant step towards formally regulating the fast-evolving AI space. The nations reached the deal overcoming reservations from some nations, especially from France, Germany, Austria and Italy. The approval came after tedious negotiations between representatives of the Council, members of the European Parliament and European Commission officials. What is EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act? The act revolves around regulating the advanced, rapidly evolving space of Artificial Intelligence. It burdens the AI companies with obligations related to privacy, transparency and stress-testing. The act aims at banning the use of AI in certain areas, mostly on use cases considered high-risk. However, the strict provisions have also stoked fears among observers regarding the slowing down of AI innovation in the EU nations, which could give rival firms in the US and China an edge. With the AI Act, the EU is one of the first blocs to lay down AI regulations, even as G7 and OECD fail to reach consensus, with most of them resorting to following voluntary guidelines and codes of practice. Apprehensions raised by Germany, France and others Earlier, the bloc’s top economies, including Germany and France, had hinted that they could throw a spanner in the works of the AI Act. Austria had reservations regarding data protection provisions while Germany and France feared the burden of regulation could weigh down the bloc’s budding AI champions, such as France’s Mistral and Germany’s Aleph Alpha. Watch: EU achieves agreement on landmark AI rules, becomes first major power to enact AI laws × Making things worse, even the EU parliament was debating provisions regarding facial recognition rules in the AI Act, with some hawks like MEP Svenja Hahn threatening to derail the talks. How were the apprehensions addressed? Thanks to the EU’s charm offensive, the concerns were addressed by announcing the creation of the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Office — a body tasked with enforcing the AI Act. Also read: European research flags AI chatbots for providing false answers, particularly on elections The EU Commission is believed to have promised Germany, France and Austria to address all of their concerns before making formal declarations. What next? The act would require approval from EU parliament, and a plenary vote is expected in April. Some hawkish lawmakers might still try to derail the process. (With inputs from agencies)

EU members reach landmark deal on Artificial Intelligence Act even as Paris, Berlin remain skeptical

Internet giant Google on Monday urged the European Parliament to resist approving a planned overhaul of the bloc's online copyright law that the company said would hurt Europe for "decades to come".

European lawmakers could vote as soon as next week on the landmark legislation that is intended to modernise copyright for the digital age but has set off a furious lobbying war in Brussels.

Tech giants, artistic creators and EU member states have battled for three years over the reform, with Google making a last-minute effort to dissuade MEPs from passing the law this month.

The biggest stumbling block has been a provision that calls for Google-owned YouTube and other platforms to remove illegal content using automatic filters or face massive liability.

Despite certain benefits, this aspect of the reform "creates vague, untested requirements" that would lead to the websites "over-blocking content", said Kent Walker, Google's senior vice president of global affairs in a blog post.

"This would be bad for creators and users, who will see online services wrongly block content simply because they need to err on the side of caution and reduce legal risks," he added.

These "unintended consequences" may "hurt Europe's creative economy for decades to come," he added.

Another bone of contention is a provision to create "neighbouring rights" -- that opponents call a link tax -- for media publishers.

News organisations, including AFP, have pushed for the move, arguing that giants like Facebook and Google make billions in revenue from advertising tied to news stories, while publishers suffer.

The planned reform "hurts small and emerging publishers, and limits consumer access to a diversity of news sources," said Walker.

"Under the directive, showing anything beyond mere facts, hyperlinks and 'individual words and very short extracts' would be restricted," he warned.

At first considered a formality, the outcome of the vote in the European Parliament is now highly uncertain.

Internet giant Google on Monday urged the European Parliament to resist approving a planned overhaul of the bloc's online copyright law that the company said would hurt Europe for "decades to come".

Internet giant Google on Monday urged the European Parliament to resist approving a planned overhaul of the bloc's online copyright law that the company said would hurt Europe for "decades to come". European lawmakers could vote as soon as next week on the landmark legislation that is intended to modernise copyright for the digital age but has set off a furious lobbying war in Brussels. Tech giants, artistic creators and EU member states have battled for three years over the reform, with Google making a last-minute effort to dissuade MEPs from passing the law this month. The biggest stumbling block has been a provision that calls for Google-owned YouTube and other platforms to remove illegal content using automatic filters or face massive liability. Despite certain benefits, this aspect of the reform "creates vague, untested requirements" that would lead to the websites "over-blocking content", said Kent Walker, Google's senior vice president of global affairs in a blog post. "This would be bad for creators and users, who will see online services wrongly block content simply because they need to err on the side of caution and reduce legal risks," he added. These "unintended consequences" may "hurt Europe's creative economy for decades to come," he added. Another bone of contention is a provision to create "neighbouring rights" -- that opponents call a link tax -- for media publishers. News organisations, including AFP, have pushed for the move, arguing that giants like Facebook and Google make billions in revenue from advertising tied to news stories, while publishers suffer. The planned reform "hurts small and emerging publishers, and limits consumer access to a diversity of news sources," said Walker. "Under the directive, showing anything beyond mere facts, hyperlinks and 'individual words and very short extracts' would be restricted," he warned. At first considered a formality, the outcome of the vote in the European Parliament is now highly uncertain.

Google fights European parliament copyright overhaul

The United States, EU members, NATO and other nations across three continents have announced the expulsion of over 150 Russian diplomats in a coordinated action against Moscow which they accuse of poisoning an ex-spy in Britain.

Here is a list updated to Wednesday of the countries involved and the number of Russians already expelled or put on notice to leave.

US, Canada, Australia

The United States: Expelled 60 alleged "spies" posted around the country and at the Russian mission to the United Nations.&nbsp

It also closed the Russian consulate in Seattle over alleged spying at the nearby Kitsap submarine base and Boeing.

The retaliation against Moscow was taken "in response to Russia's use of a military-grade chemical weapon on the soil of the United Kingdom," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said.

Canada: Ousted four diplomats, calling the nerve agent attack "a despicable, heinous and reckless act".

Australia: Followed suit with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull saying two Russian diplomats had seven days to leave.

NATO&nbsp

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance was expelling seven Russian diplomats and denying accreditation to three more.

"This will send a clear message to Russia that there are costs and consequences for their unacceptable pattern of behaviour," Stoltenberg said.

European Union

Eighteen EU nations have joined Britain in deciding to expel Russian diplomats following a European Council decision last week to react to Moscow within a common framework.

"Additional measures including further expulsions are not to be excluded in the coming days and weeks," EU President Donald Tusk said.

Britain: Already kicked out 23 Russian diplomats, with Moscow retaliating with a tit-for-tat move.

Belgium: One diplomat

Croatia: One diplomat

Czech Republic: Three diplomats

Denmark: Two diplomats

Estonia: One diplomat

France: Four diplomats&nbsp

Finland: One diplomat

Germany: Four diplomats

Hungary: One diplomat

Ireland: One diplomat

Italy: Two diplomats

Latvia: One diplomat

Lithuania: Three diplomats

Netherlands: Two diplomats

Poland: Four diplomats

Romania: One diplomat

Spain: Two diplomats

Sweden: One diplomat

Outside EU

Albania: Two diplomats

Macedonia: One diplomat

Moldova: three diplomats

Norway: One diplomat

Ukraine: 13 diplomats

President Petro Poroshenko called for even more action to be taken.

"The next step is to increase the price that Moscow has to pay for its international crimes, including the strengthening of personal, financial and economic sanctions," he said.

Additionally, EU members Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Portugal and Slovakia have recalled their ambassadors for consultations but my Wednesday had yet to expel any Russians

The United States, EU members, NATO and other nations across three continents have announced the expulsion of over 150 Russian diplomats in a coordinated action against Moscow which they accuse of poisoning an ex-spy in Britain

The United States, EU members, NATO and other nations across three continents have announced the expulsion of over 150 Russian diplomats in a coordinated action against Moscow which they accuse of poisoning an ex-spy in Britain. Here is a list updated to Wednesday of the countries involved and the number of Russians already expelled or put on notice to leave. US, Canada, Australia The United States: Expelled 60 alleged "spies" posted around the country and at the Russian mission to the United Nations. It also closed the Russian consulate in Seattle over alleged spying at the nearby Kitsap submarine base and Boeing. The retaliation against Moscow was taken "in response to Russia's use of a military-grade chemical weapon on the soil of the United Kingdom," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said. Canada: Ousted four diplomats, calling the nerve agent attack "a despicable, heinous and reckless act". Australia: Followed suit with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull saying two Russian diplomats had seven days to leave. NATO NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance was expelling seven Russian diplomats and denying accreditation to three more. "This will send a clear message to Russia that there are costs and consequences for their unacceptable pattern of behaviour," Stoltenberg said. European Union Eighteen EU nations have joined Britain in deciding to expel Russian diplomats following a European Council decision last week to react to Moscow within a common framework. "Additional measures including further expulsions are not to be excluded in the coming days and weeks," EU President Donald Tusk said. Britain: Already kicked out 23 Russian diplomats, with Moscow retaliating with a tit-for-tat move. Belgium: One diplomat Croatia: One diplomat Czech Republic: Three diplomats Denmark: Two diplomats Estonia: One diplomat France: Four diplomats Finland: One diplomat Germany: Four diplomats Hungary: One diplomat Ireland: One diplomat Italy: Two diplomats Latvia: One diplomat Lithuania: Three diplomats Netherlands: Two diplomats Poland: Four diplomats Romania: One diplomat Spain: Two diplomats Sweden: One diplomat Outside EU Albania: Two diplomats Macedonia: One diplomat Moldova: three diplomats Norway: One diplomat Ukraine: 13 diplomats President Petro Poroshenko called for even more action to be taken. "The next step is to increase the price that Moscow has to pay for its international crimes, including the strengthening of personal, financial and economic sanctions," he said. Additionally, EU members Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Portugal and Slovakia have recalled their ambassadors for consultations but my Wednesday had yet to expel any Russians

United States, EU, NATO and other countries announces expulsion of over 150 Russian diplomats

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Ukraine set for start of EU membership talks

EU members reach landmark deal on Artificial Intelligence Act even as Paris, Berlin remain skeptical

Google fights European parliament copyright overhaul

United States, EU, NATO and other countries announces expulsion of over 150 Russian diplomats