Here’s a detailed and easy-to-understand article about the European Commission’s publication of the Code of Conduct for General Purpose AI, based on the JETRO Biz News article from July 15, 2025.
EU Takes a Major Step Towards Regulating AI: Code of Conduct for General Purpose AI Released
Tokyo, Japan & Brussels, Belgium – July 15, 2025 – The European Commission has unveiled a significant new initiative in the global effort to govern artificial intelligence (AI). Today, the Commission published its “Code of Conduct for General Purpose AI,” a voluntary framework designed to guide the development and deployment of powerful AI systems that can be used for a wide range of applications. This move, reported by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), marks a crucial step in the EU’s implementation of its landmark AI Act.
What is “General Purpose AI” (GPAI)?
Before diving into the Code of Conduct, it’s important to understand what “General Purpose AI” refers to. Unlike AI systems designed for a single, specific task (like facial recognition or playing chess), GPAI are highly versatile. Think of them as foundational AI models that can be adapted and applied to numerous different tasks and industries. Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT or generative AI systems that create images and text are prime examples of GPAI. Their broad capabilities and potential impact necessitate a dedicated approach to regulation and responsible development.
The EU’s AI Act: A Groundbreaking Regulatory Framework
The Code of Conduct for GPAI is a key component of the EU’s broader AI Act, which was finalized earlier and is now being put into practice. The AI Act is the world’s first comprehensive legal framework for AI, aiming to ensure that AI systems used within the EU are safe, transparent, traceable, non-discriminatory, and environmentally sustainable. It takes a risk-based approach, categorizing AI systems and imposing different levels of obligations based on the potential harm they could cause.
The Purpose of the Code of Conduct for GPAI
The Code of Conduct for General Purpose AI is designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by these powerful, adaptable AI models. It aims to:
- Promote Responsible Innovation: Encourage developers and deployers of GPAI to embed safety and ethical considerations from the outset of their design and development processes.
- Mitigate Risks: Provide guidance on how to identify, assess, and manage potential risks associated with GPAI, such as the generation of misinformation, biased outputs, or unintended consequences.
- Foster Trust: Build public confidence in AI technologies by demonstrating a commitment to ethical practices and accountability.
- Encourage Collaboration: Serve as a platform for dialogue and cooperation between AI developers, researchers, governments, and other stakeholders.
Key Principles and Commitments Expected
While the specific details of the Code of Conduct are being released, it is expected to call upon developers and deployers of GPAI to adhere to a set of key principles and make commitments in areas such as:
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Conducting thorough assessments of potential risks and implementing measures to reduce them throughout the AI lifecycle.
- Transparency and Explainability: Providing clear information about the capabilities and limitations of GPAI systems, and striving for explainable AI where possible.
- Data Governance: Ensuring that data used to train GPAI is collected and used ethically and responsibly, with a focus on minimizing bias.
- Security and Robustness: Developing GPAI systems that are resilient to manipulation and cyberattacks.
- Accountability: Establishing clear lines of responsibility for the development and deployment of GPAI.
- Human Oversight: Ensuring that human oversight remains integral in the use of GPAI, especially in critical decision-making processes.
- Environmental Sustainability: Considering the environmental impact of training and running large AI models.
Voluntary, But Heavily Influential
It’s important to note that this Code of Conduct is voluntary. However, its significance should not be underestimated. As a foundational element of the EU’s AI Act, it sets a strong precedent and signals the direction of AI regulation globally. Companies that develop and deploy GPAI are likely to find adherence to such codes increasingly beneficial, both for ensuring compliance with future regulations and for building a positive reputation in the market.
Global Implications and the Future of AI Governance
The EU’s proactive approach to AI regulation, exemplified by the AI Act and now the Code of Conduct for GPAI, is being closely watched by governments and industries worldwide. This initiative is likely to influence regulatory discussions in other regions and could contribute to the development of more harmonized international standards for AI governance.
The release of this Code of Conduct is a testament to the EU’s commitment to shaping the future of AI in a way that benefits society while harnessing the transformative potential of this technology. As GPAI continues to evolve and permeate various aspects of our lives, frameworks like this will be crucial in ensuring its development and use align with human values and societal well-being.
The AI has delivered the news.
The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-07-15 07:00, ‘欧州委、AI法に基づく「汎用AIの行動規範」公開’ was published according to 日本貿易振興機構. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.