“Current liability rules are not equipped to handle claims for damage caused by AI-enabled products and services,” said European Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders.
The European Commission has proposed rules that would make suing makers of drones and AI products simpler for both individuals and companies.
The executive of the European Union argues the proposal will also give businesses legal certainty and raise consumer trust in their products.
Makers of drones, robots and other products that are equipped with an artificial intelligence software will be easier to sue for compensation for harm caused by the devices under the proposed rules.
The AI Liability Directive is aiming to address long-standing EU product rules and make revisions for the increasing use of AI products and services.
“Current liability rules are not equipped to handle claims for damage caused by AI-enabled products and services,” said European Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders in a press briefing.
“We must change this and guarantee protection for all consumers.”
Under the draft rules, victims will be able to seek compensation for harm to their life, property, health, privacy or for discrimination in a recruitment process that involves AI.
“We want the same level of protection for victims of damage caused by AI as for victims of old technologies,” Reynders said.
He said the proposal will ensure victims and their “justified claims are not hindered by specific difficulties of proof linked to AI” thanks to a “presumption of causality”.
It means they will only need to show that a manufacturer or user’s failure to comply to certain requirements caused the harm, then link it to the AI technology in the lawsuit.
“The principle is simple,” Reynders said. “The new rules apply when a product that functions thanks to AI technology causes damage and that this damage is the result of an error made by manufacturers, developers or users of this technology.”
Before it can become law, the AI Liability Directive will need to be agreed with the EU countries and EU lawmakers.
