Japan is reportedly devising softer artificial intelligence regulations compared to the European Union, as the Asian country expects the quickly emerging technology to boost local economic growth.
Reports say a draft by the Japanese government is expected to be unveiled by the end of this year. It’s likely to be closer to the U.S. approach of not placing stringent regulations in place that could discourage AI development. A softer Japanese approach could nullify EU efforts to become a global benchmark in safeguarding the use of generative AI technology.
Last month, the EU laid out the “AI Act” which applies the strictest rules by dividing the use of AI into various risk categories. For uses of the technology labeled “high risk,” companies would have to go through multiple rounds of review for approval before their commercial release. The process is similar to pharmaceutical companies undergoing clinical trials on new drugs.
Even within the EU, the AI Act is raising concerns among business circles. A group of European business leaders has expressed concerns the EU is overregulating AI which could result in the bloc trailing behind other regions in future productivity. Some 150 executives including the CEOs of Renault and Siemens, signed an open letter to the European Parliament in late June, requesting a pullback of proposed restrictions.
For Japan, generative AI is expected to help cope with the country’s chronic demographic decline, the main reason for a labor shortage. Last month, the Japanese government decided to support the development of the technology in the country by paying for half of the US$ 100 million supercomputer. Also, Japan’s Softbank Corp has joined forces with NVIDIA on a platform for generative AI and 5G/6G applications Softbank plans to introduce at their AI data centers in Japan.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council says it’ll hold its first meeting on July 18 to discuss with experts the potential threat AI can pose to human peace and security. The meeting is to be attended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who called for a creation of a new UN organization in September to respond to AI, similar to that of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
