Politico: EU bans use of AI-based tools in online meetings

The European Commission (EC) has introduced a ban on the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered virtual assistants in online meetings, which are becoming an increasingly popular communication tool for businesses and consumers.

"No AI Agents are allowed," said a slide on e-meeting etiquette at the start of the presentation Caliber.Az reports per Politico.

The Commission acknowledged it had imposed the ground rule for the first time last week, declining to give more details on the policy and reasons why it took the decision.

Politico calls this move by the EU executive unexpected and strange, given that Brussels has already begun to prepare for an era in which AI agents will be used in everyday life and business. The technology was mentioned in a broader EC document package on virtual reality, published on March 31.

 "AI agents are software applications designed to perceive and interact with the virtual environment," the text read. Agents can "operate autonomously," but their work is set by "specific predefined rules."

For the record, the European Union has been positioning itself as a global leader in regulating artificial intelligence. In March 2024, EU lawmakers approved the AI Act, the world’s first comprehensive legislation on artificial intelligence. The law categorizes AI systems by risk level—ranging from minimal to unacceptable—and imposes strict requirements on high-risk systems, including those used in critical infrastructure, education, employment, and law enforcement.

The AI Act also includes specific provisions for “general-purpose AI models” such as ChatGPT, mandating transparency, data governance, and cybersecurity standards. While the EU encourages innovation, it aims to ensure AI development aligns with European values of safety, privacy, and human rights.

By Khagan Isayev