In brief
Hot on the heels of the unanimous vote by Ambassadors for the EU Member States (COREPER) approving the EU AI Act on 2 February (see our article on that vote here), on 13 February, lawmakers from the EU Parliament have also overwhelmingly voted in favor of the Act as it continues on its legislative journey. The joint internal market and civil liberties committee of the Parliament voted 71 to 8 to approve the Act with 7 abstentions. This now leaves the path to bringing the Act into force only requiring a final vote by the European Parliament and national ministers, likely to be in April, which is now seen very much as a rubber-stamping exercise, given the votes that have taken place.
Once passed, the EU AI Act will be the world’s first comprehensive legislation on AI use and development; other major territories such as the UK, US and China are taking different approaches to regulating AI in their jurisdictions, although it is worth noting the extraterritorial effect of the EU AI Act, which will catch the providers of AI systems deployed within the EU, no matter where they are based. As the Act nears coming into force, businesses are advised to carry out risk assessments to understand the impact of the Act on them and their AI systems.
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Author
Sue McLean
Sue is a partner in Baker McKenzie's IP, Data and Technology team based in London. Sue advises on complex technology and commercial deals and projects.
Sue has advised on technology projects for over 24 years. She advises on strategic technology deals including cloud, outsourcing, digital transformation and development and licensing. She also advises on a range of legal and regulatory issues relating to the development and roll-out of new technologies including AI, blockchain/DLT and crypto-assets. Sue is a key member of our global AI practice and leads on responsible AI governance and AI related transactional projects at the firm.
Sue co-leads our Commercial practice in London. On the commercial side, Sue's practice involves advising on a range of strategic commercial agreements including supply and distribution agreements, manufacturing agreements, warehousing and logistics agreements, IP licensing and assignment agreements, joint development agreements, collaboration agreements and franchising agreements. She also supports clients in preparing terms of business and related documentation for new offerings and coordinating global roll-outs.
Sue also co-leads our transactional practice in London supporting our Corporate teams and providing strategic support on the commercial, technology and intellectual property aspects of M&A transactions, including advising on complex and strategic ancillary commercial, IP and transitional agreements related to acquisitions, disposals, carve-outs and JVs.
Sue is ranked as a leading lawyer in Chambers for Information Technology & Outsourcing and Fintech Legal and in Legal500 for IT & Telecoms, TMT, Commercial Contracts and Fintech. Clients say of Sue: "She is pragmatic and focused on getting a sensible deal done" and "She quickly builds relationships with ease and leverages her network to gain valuable insight. Her knowledge of technology and the impact of existing and upcoming laws is evident. Her professionalism builds trust and we have been grateful for her responsiveness on urgent matters".
