EU to propose new Artificial Intelligence Regulation

On April 21, the EU Commission is expected to adopt a proposal for a regulation (the AI Regulation) of "artificial intelligence systems" (AI systems), imposing new obligations that will impact businesses across many, if not all, sectors of the economy. The AI Regulation is ambitious and will prove controversial, touching off a legislative battle lasting at least until 2022. The proposed AI Regulation will join other ambitious EU initiatives in the digital sector, such as the Data Governance Act, Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, all currently working their way through the EU legislative process, as well as ongoing reform of EU antitrust policy. Other jurisdictions will likely examine all of these measures closely as potential models for similar legislation. A leaked draft of the AI Regulation (the Draft) illustrates the potential scope and impact of the new law.