- Several tech and AI companies, including GitHub and HuggingFace, have requested European policymakers to support open-source AI development.
- These companies seek to ensure that the AI Act being developed by EU policymakers adheres to top standards for AI development and doesn’t stifle innovation.
Leading AI and technology entities, such as GitHub and HuggingFace, are appealing to European policymakers. Their request, as reported by The Verge on July 26, advocates for enhanced backing for the open-source evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models.
Striving for Clarity in AI Definitions and Regulations
The written plea encompasses a series of recommendations for the European Parliament, chief among them being the call for unambiguous definitions. The cosignatories of the paper include Creative Commons, EleutherAI, LAION, and Open Future, who are intent on ensuring that the in-progress AI Act aligns with optimal standards for AI’s continued development.
The EU’s focus on AI regulation is notably intense, as a draft of its AI Act is already publicly accessible. However, this draft has already faced scrutiny from multiple quarters. Central to the criticism is the perceived overemphasis on the application layer and the ambiguous definitions of AI technology. Consequently, the petitioning companies have recommended more precise definitions.
Other proposals include differentiating hobbyists and researchers engaged in open-source AI models from their commercially profiting counterparts, instituting requirements for varied models, and regulating real-world AI project testing.
The AI Act has prohibited all forms of real-world AI testing, a move these companies argue could hinder research and development. They further propose that the sharing of AI tools on open-source libraries should be exempt from regulation.
Implications of the AI Act on Global AI Regulation
Should the Act pass, it could establish a global precedent for AI regulation. Therefore, AI firms are actively lobbying to ensure the regulations aren’t excessively strict, which could hinder sector growth.
While EU policymakers are diligently drafting AI regulations, their US counterparts are in the early stages. By developing clear guidelines, they hope to avoid the regulatory ambiguity that currently shadows the crypto realm.
Top-tier AI companies, including Google, Meta, and OpenAI, recently agreed to implement watermarks on AI-generated content, symbolizing their voluntary commitment to improving safety.
