BRUSSELS - IBM has expressed its strong support for the EU Parliament’s recent ratification of the EU AI Act, marking a pivotal moment in the establishment of responsible AI regulation within the European Union. The announcement was made on March 13, following the European Parliament’s vote to adopt what is considered the world’s first comprehensive AI law.
The EU AI Act is designed to provide a robust framework that ensures transparency, accountability, and human oversight in the development and deployment of AI technologies. While there are still steps to be taken to guarantee the Act’s effective implementation, IBM is optimistic that the regulation will enhance trust and confidence in AI systems, thereby encouraging innovation and competitiveness.
Christina Montgomery, Vice President and Chief Privacy & Trust Officer at IBM, praised the EU’s initiative, stating, “The EU’s leadership in enacting thorough and intelligent AI legislation is commendable. The risk-based approach is in harmony with IBM’s dedication to ethical AI practices and is expected to significantly contribute to the creation of open and trustworthy AI ecosystems.” She added, “With the EU AI Act now approved, IBM is eager to offer our technology and expertise, including our watsonx.governance product, to assist our clients and other stakeholders in adhering to the EU AI Act and forthcoming global regulations. This will enable us to collectively harness the remarkable capabilities of responsible AI.”
The EU AI Act, which has been a subject of intense debate since its proposal in 2021, includes provisions for high-impact general-purpose AI models that could pose systemic risks in the future, as well as high-risk AI systems. It also introduces a revised system of governance with some enforcement powers at the EU level and extends the list of prohibitions. However, it allows for the use of remote biometric identification by law enforcement authorities in public spaces, subject to safeguards4. This landmark legislation aims to stimulate investment and innovation in AI across Europe while fully respecting the fundamental rights of citizens
