Strict liability rules for high-risk Artificial Intelligence systems

Deployers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems such as self-driving cars should be liable for damages these cars or drones cause. This is what the EPP Group’s Legal Affairs Spokesman Axel Voss MEP calls for in his draft Report on Civil Liability of Artificial Intelligence, presented today in the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs.

“AI systems such as self-driving cars or parcel delivery drones endanger an unpredictable number of innocent people. There should be strict liability rules regardless of fault for these high-risk applications. This means that the deployers of such AI systems have to pay for the damage even if they are not at fault, much like the owner of a car or a dangerous animal”, said Voss.

“The European Commission has to take legislative action”, demanded Voss, adding: “All high-risk AI systems must be listed transparently in law, with the list being regularly reviewed and supplemented by the European Commission. A committee of experts from civil society, science and business should be closely involved in this process. However, we must also ensure that only systems that pose an increased risk are subject to stricter liability. We should be careful that the great potential of AI systems for our society is not hindered by overregulation", Voss concluded.

Voss' Report will now be debated by MEPs and is expected to be adopted by Parliament in autumn.