While the EU first proposed such a law in 2021, the draft rules took on greater urgency when ChatGPT exploded onto the scene last year, showing off AI's dizzying advances and possible risks.
While AI proponents hail the technology for how it will transform society, including work, healthcare and creative pursuits, others are worried by its potential to undermine democracy. The EU insists the law will foster AI innovation while also protecting against dangers the technology poses to people.
Lawmakers proposed bans on AI systems that use biometric surveillance including live use of facial recognition and so-called predictive policing. The text also calls for special requirements on generative AI systems – those such as ChatGPT and DALL-E capable of producing text, images, code, audio and other media – that include informing users that a machine, not a human, produced the content.
The EU's proposed high-risk list includes AI in critical infrastructure, education, human resources, public order and migration management.