The European Parliament has approved a major set of rules for artificial intelligence after an extended voting session, moving the European Union closer to a new legal framework for the fast-growing technology. The legislation is aimed at setting clear limits on risky uses of AI while creating tougher standards for companies that build and deploy these systems.

Among the most significant provisions are restrictions on certain forms of facial recognition, along with transparency obligations for generative AI models. Lawmakers said the goal is to reduce abuse, improve accountability, and give the public more visibility into how powerful AI tools are trained and used.

The measure still needs to move through the remaining steps of the EU legislative process, but the parliamentary vote marks an important milestone. Supporters argue the rules are necessary to keep pace with rapid industry growth and to protect civil liberties, privacy, and democratic oversight.

The bill places Europe among the first major jurisdictions to adopt a broad regulatory approach to artificial intelligence. Its final impact will depend on how the rules are implemented, enforced, and interpreted across member states and by the companies that will have to comply.