Microsoft, GitHub, Hugging Face Team Up to Relax EU AI Rules

The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act and Open-Source AI Models

GitHub, Hugging Face, Creative Commons and other tech firms have recently penned an open letter to the European Union, urging policymakers to review some of the provisions of the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act. The letter claims that regulating upstream open-source projects as if they are commercial products or deployed AI systems would hinder open-source AI development.

The tech firms have provided five suggestions to ensure that the AI Act works for open-source models. These include defining AI components clearly, clarifying that collaborative development on open-source models does not subject developers to the bill requirements, ensuring researchers’ exceptions by permitting limited testing in real-world conditions, and setting proportional requirements for “foundation models.”

Open-source software is software that is publicly accessible and can be inspected, modified and enhanced by anyone. This type of software is particularly important for the development and deployment of AI models. Microsoft AI, Bing AI, AI Voice, AI Anchor, AI Generated Articles, Generative AI, and AI 2022 are all examples of open-source AI models.

In June, the European Parliament overwhelmingly passed the act with 499 votes in favor, 28 against and 93 abstaining. This act will be enacted once the European Council, representing the 27 member states, reaches a consensus on the text proposed in 2021. After that, individual discussions between the EU members will take place to refine the details.

The open letter emphasizes that this regulation sets a worldwide example for managing AI and its associated risks while at the same time promoting innovation. The letter also states that “AI needs to be regulated in order to reduce risks through adequate standards and oversight, […], and to establish clear liability and compensation for any harm caused.” The authors of the open letter believe that increased transparency and cooperation between various stakeholders can help to achieve this goal.

Bing AI, Microsoft AI, and other generative AI can create AI-generated articles, AI anchors, and AI voices for reporters. AI 2022 is expected to be the year when such AI-generated content will become more widespread.