EU Unveils Plans for First General-Purpose AI Code of Practice

The European Union is taking significant steps to shape the future of artificial intelligence with the development of the first “General-Purpose AI Code of Practice” under its AI Act, Coin Telegraph revealed yesterday.

Announced on September 30, this initiative, led by the European AI Office, gathers nearly 1,000 global experts from academia, industry, and civil society to collaboratively draft a framework focused on transparency, copyright, risk assessment, and internal governance.

The kick-off plenary marks the beginning of a months-long process, culminating in April 2025. The Code of Practice aims to regulate general-purpose AI models, such as large language models, which have broad applications and significant societal impacts.

Four working groups, chaired by notable experts like Nuria Oliver and Alexander Peukert, will focus on key areas including technical risk mitigation and stakeholder input. The EU’s AI Act, passed in March 2024, establishes a risk-based approach to AI governance, categorizing systems by risk levels and mandating compliance measures.

While some major AI companies, including Meta, view the regulations as overly restrictive, the EU seeks to balance safety and innovation. With over 430 submissions already received, the Code of Practice aims to set a global precedent for responsible AI development and management.