The European Union has officially published the AI Act (EU 2024/1689) on 12 July 2024, the first comprehensive legal framework for artificial intelligence worldwide. This groundbreaking legislation aims to create a safe and trustworthy AI environment within the EU, addressing concerns about AI's impact on society and fundamental rights.

The European Union has launched a series of initiatives last week to enhance electoral integrity and address the challenges posed by AI in the lead-up to the 2024 European Parliament elections.

The past week witnessed significant developments in AI policy, as the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union confronted the rapid advancement of the technology and its wide-ranging implications.

The French Competition Authority (Autorité de la concurrence) has fined Google €250 million for failing to comply with commitments made in June 2022. The Autorité found that Google breached its commitment to cooperate with the monitoring trustee and failed to comply with four of its seven commitments aimed at ensuring good faith negotiations and transparent assessment of remuneration for related rights.

Today the Committee of Ministers transmitted the draft Framework Convention on artificial intelligence, human rights, democracy and the rule of law to the Parliamentary Assembly and invited the latter to give an opinion as soon as possible.

The European Commission, together with European Research Area countries and stakeholders, has put forward a set of guidelines to support the European research community in their responsible use of generative AI. The guidelines, based on principles of research integrity and trustworthy AI, aim to address key opportunities and challenges as the technology rapidly spreads across all domains, including science.

The UK's Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) and the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) announced enhancements to the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) Hub.

CAIDP has joined forces with AlgorithmWatch, the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law Stichting (ECNL), and over 90 other civil society organizations and prominent academics to ensure the upcoming global AI treaty, being finalized by the Council of Europe, provides robust protection for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The treaty, set to be the first binding international agreement on AI, aims to address the growing impact of AI systems on society.

This week the CAHAI published “Toward Regulation of AI Systems” and convened a panel to discuss Democratic Governance of AI. The CAHAI report explored global perspectives on the development of AI legal frameworks, and highlighted recent developments in Israel, Mexico, and Japan.

This week the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) adopted new measures concerning the transfer of personal data to countries outside of Europe.

The Parliament Assembly of the Council of Europe has adopted a new resolution on the Need for Democratic Governance of Artificial Intelligence.

Debate continues in the European Union about AI legislation. The European Commission had promised comprehensive AI legislation in “the first 100 days” but that initiative stalled as did efforts to establish red lines for certain AI techniques, such as facial recognition.