The European Parliament's Internal Market and Civil Liberties committees have approved the world's first legislation on artificial intelligence, the Artificial Intelligence Act.

The AI Act is designed to safeguard fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law, and environmental sustainability, while also fostering innovation and solidifying Europe's leadership in AI technology.

The legislation will oversee the application of AI across various industries and in security and police work, with a focus on regulating foundational or generative AI technologies like those developed by Microsoft-backed OpenAI.

Companies operating in the EU will be mandated to be transparent about their AI training data and conduct thorough testing on AI products, particularly for high-risk uses.

The AI Act includes provisions allowing 'real-time' facial recognition by law enforcement in cases of terrorism and serious crimes.

A vote by the legislative assembly on the AI Act is expected in April, with a phased implementation planned from 2024 to 2027.