The European Union Council promotes the simplification of AI regulation rules, banning AI from generating pornographic content

On the 13th, the European Union Council reached an agreement on a proposal to simplify certain artificial intelligence (AI) regulatory rules, mainly involving streamlining the EU AI regulatory framework, reducing compliance burdens for businesses, and banning the use of AI to generate pornographic content and other materials.
The EU Council issued a press release on the same day stating that this proposal is part of the European Commission’s “comprehensive simplification package” legislative plan, mainly involving adjustments to parts of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, including delaying the application of high-risk AI system regulation rules by up to 16 months so that they can be formally implemented after relevant standards and tools are ready; expanding the scope of regulatory exemptions for certain businesses; strengthening the powers of the European Commission’s AI Office; and reducing governance fragmentation.
The position paper adopted by the EU Council on the 13th generally endorses the European Commission’s related proposals, and additionally introduces a new regulation banning the use of AI to generate non-consensual sexual content, private content, and child sexual abuse material.
The EU Council stated that the rotating presidency of the EU will initiate negotiations with the European Parliament to advance the subsequent legislative process of the proposal.
The EU Artificial Intelligence Act will officially come into effect on August 1, 2024. ( Xinhua News Agency )