EU Parliament Sets Up AI Monitoring Group

The European Parliament has established an AI monitoring group to oversee the implementation of the AI Act. This group will be co-chaired by Michael McNamara from Ireland and Brando Benifei from Italy. McNamara represents the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, while Benifei, who previously led AI Act efforts, represents the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection. The Legal Affairs committee is also seeking to join, though a representative has not yet been appointed.

The AI Act, which came into force in early August, aims to regulate AI systems based on their societal risk. General-purpose AI rules will be enforced one year after the Act’s commencement, with high-risk system obligations set for three years later. The monitoring group’s discussions will largely occur behind closed doors, and a date for the first meeting has not been announced.

Similar groups were formed in the previous Parliament for the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, which will continue in the new term. The European Commission and Parliament anticipate further AI-related work, including rules on workplace and copyright issues.

Additionally, the Commission has appointed independent experts from the EU, US, and Canada to draft a Code of Practice for General Purpose AI. This Code will help companies comply with the AI Act, focusing on transparency, systemic risk, and copyright rules.