AI Act: Benifei stresses on the importance of clear guidelines on prohibited AI systems

The key milestones of the work done so far in the AI regulation sector, recent developments and the next goals to achieve have been at core of the IMCO committee meeting, held on Monday 18 November at the European Parliament in Brussels.

Brando Benifei, Italian MEP from S&D and committee co-chair, reported back on the Working Group last implementation and enforcement of the Artificial Intelligence Act. 

“We welcome the successful adoption of the EU AI Act, which entered into force in August 2024 after years of negotiation” commented Benifei. 

The Act’s phased implementation includes key deadlines, first among them the one in February 2025, with the take into effect of the Prohibited AI systems regulations. After that, the next step is August 2025, with the beginning of the obligations for general-purpose AI models, and then August 2025, with the high-risk AI system requirements appliance. 

“We must stress the importance of clear guidelines on prohibited AI systems and practical tools to ensure compliance, urging sufficient consultation time for stakeholders – underlined Benifei – the Commission’s transparency measures, including publishing the names of working group chairs, have improved trust”.

In the AI sector, furthermore, recent developments include the consultations on prohibition guidelines and the first draft of the Code of Practice for general-purpose AI models, which began this November. With the publication of the first draft of the Code, more discussions have been enabled with the goal of the finalization of the document. 

“We must emphasize the global importance of the EU’s leadership in regulating powerful AI systems, highlighting the need for robust dialogue and stakeholder collaboration – added the co-chair Benifei – As the first region to set these rules, the world is watching us closely. We must get it right”.