The European Commission has announced plans to make it easier for consumers to claim compensation from manufacturers of artificial intelligence (AI) products such as robots, drones or smart home systems if they are harmed.
The AI Liability Directive plan aims to improve legal clarification for manufacturers and consumers, as the use of artificial intelligence continues to increase, and to create a presumption of causality for those who claim that artificial intelligence products cause injury.
The burden of proof in cases of injury or damage caused by artificial intelligence remains with consumers.
“While considering the huge potential of new technologies, we must always ensure the safety of consumers,” said EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders in a statement.
Victims do not need to unravel complicated AI systems to prove their case, as long as a causal relationship between the AI performance of a product and the resulting damage can be proven. Even if a product is designed to cause distress or harm, responsibility must be taken.
If adopted, this draft will run alongside the proposed EU law on artificial intelligence, which will set limits on the use of AI systems, and all eyes will be on the first test case.
The sources for this piece include an article in BBC.