Three members from the legal affairs committee are currently working to ensure the EU is prepared for the legal and ethical aspects of developments in artificial intelligence (AI). Find out more in our interview.

We asked German EPP member Axel Voss, the member responsible for issues relating to civil liability regime for artificial intelligence, about how the EU can solve the legal uncertainties created by the use of AI.

What problems does the Parliament wants to solve?

Although Europe’s existing civil liability framework covers most upcoming scenarios, new technologies based on AI will nevertheless expose several unsolved issues.

In the case of an AI malfunction, it will for instance become rather difficult to differentiate between negligent and non-negligent conduct. Who exactly is liable if an AI-driven robot hurts a pedestrian in a public space or makes a mistake during a surgery?

The European Parliament wants to propose a working mechanism that covers the entire spectrum of risks as well as potential harm caused by the use of AI in its various applications.

Read more about how the Parliament wants to tackle AI risks for consumers

What is the advantage of regulating technology at EU level?

It is my strong belief that only the European Union should regulate digital technologies since data does not stop at national borders. If the EU wants to continue shaping digital transformation, we need to be united and act boldly. We should stop using directives and work only with regulations [which are directly applicable in EU countries] in order to genuinely harmonise the digital single market.

Many files from the previous legislative period (e.g. copyright directive, digital content directive, Audiovisual Media Services directive) will lead to 27 different national laws as well as different legal interpretations although they are based on the same set of rules. This is a situation we can no longer allow.