EU lawmakers propose new civil liability rules for AI

Four members of the European Parliament are advocating for a new civil liability regime to address gaps in the 2024 AI Act. The proposal, led by Kim van Sparrentak, Axel Voss, Brando Benifei, and Michael McNamara, aims to hold technology companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, accountable for damages caused by the unforeseen uses of advanced artificial intelligence models.

The initiative seeks to protect European citizens and businesses by making it easier and less expensive for victims to obtain compensation. A key component of the proposal is shifting the burden of proof directly onto the developing companies to ensure legal protections keep pace with rapid technological advancements.