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OPINION (COM(2021)0206 – C90146/2021 – 2021/0106(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act) and amending certain Union legislative acts

ITRE-AD-719801

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy · Rapporteur: Eva Maydell

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The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy gives its opinion on the proposed Artificial Intelligence Act, welcoming its risk-based approach. It proposes amendments to support innovation, especially for start-ups and SMEs, through stronger regulatory sandboxes and an EU AI Regulatory Sandboxing Programme. It seeks an internationally recognised definition of an AI system and high but realistic standards for accuracy, robustness, cybersecurity and data. It aims to encourage AI uptake by fostering social trust and value chain responsibility, and to future-proof the Act for the green transition and changes in industry.

Committee position. The committee proposes amendments to the Commission's proposal, focusing on innovation support for start-ups and SMEs, a clear AI definition, realistic standards, social trust and future-proofing.

Key points

  1. The draft opinion pursues four objectives: supporting innovation, defining AI clearly with realistic standards, encouraging uptake through social trust, and future-proofing the Act.
  2. It proposes to strengthen regulatory sandboxes with a European dimension and an EU AI Regulatory Sandboxing Programme whose modalities are set out in a new Annex.
  3. It calls for an internationally recognised definition of an AI system and a common European authority on benchmarking that brings together national metrology and benchmarking authorities.
  4. It seeks to foster social trust through a collaborative relationship between developers and users along the value chain, stronger Codes of Conduct and compliance-by-design.
  5. It proposes that the regulation provide a predictable environment for low-risk industrial solutions and involve the High Level Expert Group on AI with the Commission and the European Artificial Intelligence Board.
  6. It amends recitals to encourage sustainable AI design, address digital skills shortages and regional gaps, and ensure the regulation does not undermine research and freedom of science.
  7. It amends data governance rules to require datasets designed with best efforts to be relevant, representative and vetted for errors, with attention to bias mitigation.
  8. It amends accuracy, robustness and cybersecurity rules, including clear communication of accuracy metrics and resilience against data poisoning, adversarial examples and model flaws.
  9. It amends standardisation rules to require the Commission to consider fundamental rights, environment and society, and to involve stakeholders including SMEs.
  10. It amends provisions on regulatory sandboxes to make them widely available, involve the Commission, and suspend testing if significant risks are identified.
  11. It amends measures for SMEs and start-ups, including priority access to sandboxes, awareness raising, dedicated communication channels and reduced conformity assessment fees.
  12. It proposes an AI Advisory Council as a sub-group of the Board with representatives from industry, research, academia, civil society and other stakeholders.

Who is affected

  • Start-ups and SMEs: priority access to regulatory sandboxes, reduced conformity assessment fees and dedicated communication channels.
  • Providers of high-risk AI systems: new requirements on data governance, accuracy, robustness, cybersecurity and conformity assessment.
  • Member States: encouraged to establish regulatory sandboxes and develop initiatives for small-scale providers and users.
  • The Commission: to establish an EU AI Regulatory Sandboxing Work Programme and ensure standardisation considers fundamental rights.
  • The European Artificial Intelligence Board: to bring together national metrology and benchmarking authorities and establish an AI Advisory Council.

Figures and deadlines

  • 10 years: period the provider must keep the EU declaration of conformity at the disposal of national competent authorities.