European Parliament gives final approval to landmark AI law

European Union lawmakers on Wednesday gave their final approval to landmark legislation to govern artificial intelligence.

The Artificial Intelligence Act was passed in the European Parliament in Strasbourg with 523 votes in favor and 46 against. Brando Benifei, co-rapporteur said "I think today is again an historic day on our long path towards regulation of AI.

We are finally approving from the parliament side the AI act. And so with the final step that will take place in council soon, the law will become a law of the European Union, the first regulation in the world that is putting a clear path towards a safe and human centric development of AI." The new law aims to protect citizens in the bloc's 27 member states from the possible risks associated with the fast-changing technology, as well as allow innovation to thrive.