A coalition of 13 consumer protection groups in the European Union (EU) is calling on regulators to assess the risks and vulnerabilities that consumers face due to generative AI.
The watchdog groups issued a warning to national authorities responsible for consumer, data protection, competition, and product safety, regarding concerns about AI models behind popular chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
They urged leaders to utilize existing legislation and bring in new laws to address AI concerns and investigate the potential harm caused by generative AI. The Norwegian Consumer Council’s report on AI chatbots highlights dangers such as disinformation, data harvesting, and manipulation.
These calls come after the EU passed its monumental AI Act on June 14th. The regulations are expected to take effect within the next two to three years and serve as a comprehensive set of rules for AI development and deployment in the EU.
Similarly, the US is also considering regulations targeting AI, with two bipartisan bills proposed in early June that aim to improve transparency and innovation in the industry. Meanwhile, regulators in the UK have called for AI regulations to be on par with those governing medicine and nuclear power.
Overall, this news highlights the growing concerns around AI ethics and consumer protection. As AI becomes more prevalent in our daily lives, it is critical that we prioritize the safeguards necessary to protect the well-being of individuals and society as a whole. Governments and regulatory bodies must work together to establish clear guidelines and standards for ethical AI development and deployment.