AI products and services, such as virtual assistants and more recently ChatGPT, are already changing consumer markets and our societies. These technologies carry hope that they will improve and make consumers’ lives more convenient. But the use of AI also comes with great risks. It has major implications for consumers’ autonomy, self-determination, privacy, safety and security. It also raises questions about who should be held responsible if the output of an AI system has a detrimental effect on a consumer. The AI Act must provide consumers with rights and protections and ensure the EU’s fundamental rights and values are respected. Technology innovation through AI systems, and in particularly generative AI, should deliver to consumers. 

As we enter the final legislative stage, BEUC calls on legislators to ensure that consumers can expect a high level of protection when using AI systems as they are entitled to under the EU treaties.