EU proposal increases liability of AI makers in drone mishaps

The executive body of the European Union (EU) has introduced draft regulation that would make it easier for individuals and organizations to sue companies whose products – including drones – caused prejudice, damage, or injury due to malfunctioning or misuse of integrated artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

The EU Commission unveiled its AI Liability Directive yesterday to address public concerns about not only the potential troubles that products like drones enhanced with smart capacities can cause, but also current legal difficulties to successfully sue over such mishaps. In doing so, the proposal shifts legal proof of responsibility burden from plaintiffs, and on to companies that created the AI apps behind the accidents – or, when applicable, manufacturers or users of goods provoking the complaints.