EU chief says AI Act can address rogue AI risks

EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen said the bloc’s Artificial Intelligence Act is equipped to address risks from rogue AI systems, arguing that its requirements cover models throughout their life cycle. Her assessment comes as regulators seek information from more than 30 AI companies and debate how effectively the rules can be enforced in practice. Speaking on October 9, Virkkunen rejected criticism that the law, adopted in 2024, is already outdated. She said regulators are providing guidance to companies on evaluating models and allocating time for those assessments, and that recommendations from a scientific panel of 60 experts would also inform the work. The Act uses a risk-based approach, with additional requirements for general-purpose models that pose systemic risks. The European Commission sent information requests to more than 30 AI companies in late August, seeking details about safety and security measures. It also asked follow-up questions concerning transparency and copyright obligations. The Commission has not named the companies contacted.