EU’s new A.I. regulation looks past ‘existential risks’ to focus on tech’s role in everyday life, MEP says

As most of the U.S. was enjoying a well-deserved holiday, I caught up with Brando Benifei, an Italian social-democrat, member of the European Parliament, and “co-Rapporteur” of the bloc’s A.I. regulation. I asked him if he shared Sam Altman fears that A.I. poses a “risk of extinction.” Here is what he said:

“The existential risks that Sam Altman speaks about are there. They should not be underestimated but not over-debated either. What we are concentrating on with [the EU’s A.I.] regulation is its impact on everyday life, the consumer and business that want to use A.I. to increase [their] productivity.” 

When I pressed him on the matter, he got even more explicit:

“The real problems of today of people are other than eradication of civilization. We don’t appreciate this debate [on A.I.’s existential threat] if it distracts from the real debate of what consumers are facing in real life. Reality is about what happens today, not apocalyptic scenarios.”

The EU’s A.I. legislation, expected to be final by year-end, focuses not on apocalyptic scenarios but rather aims to “mitigate and correct risks [of A.I.] in areas of employment, critical infrastructure, administration of justice, the democratic process,” and “the safety and fundamental rights of people,” Benifei said.

For example, the EU legislation will target mass surveillance through biometric cameras, real-time predictive policing, and deepfake content used for defamation of citizens or politicians, he said. Another area of concern is potential discrimination in the labor market if A.I. is used in the hiring process. All these use cases would either be banned or “scrutinized,” he said.

But don’t call Benifei or his fellow legislators a Luddite—or a bureaucrat bucking innovation.

“We want A.I. to thrive and grow, with a maximum legal certainty and risk avoidance and support for developers and users alike. We have a clear legal framework in Europe. We think that A.I. can make people more emancipated, more free, and [that it can] increase productivity and opportunities. That is the main message from us.”

More news below.

Peter Vanham
peter.vanham@fortune.com
@petervanham

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