Parliament Creates Group to Oversee AI Law

In a significant move, two committees of the European Parliament have formed a joint working group to oversee the implementation of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The committees involved are the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). This initiative comes amid growing concerns among Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) regarding transparency in the staffing of the AI Office and the role of civil society in the implementation process. The working group aims to address these concerns, although specific details regarding its operational framework, including its approach to the AI Act and the frequency of meetings, will be determined after the summer recess. The European Commission, responsible for coordinating the implementation, is currently advancing its efforts as the AI Act is set to take effect on August 1. Notably, certain prohibitions, such as those against real-time biometric identification, will be enforced six months post-implementation. The AI Act's implementation will be phased over two years, during which the Commission must clarify key provisions. Historically, the European Parliament has had limited involvement in regulatory implementation; however, MEPs focused on technology policy are advocating for a more active role, especially in light of recent digital regulations like the Digital Services and Digital Markets Acts, which address content moderation and digital competition.