European Union lawmakers voted Friday to strengthen transparency and accountability rules for high-risk artificial intelligence systems, advancing one of the bloc’s most significant digital policy overhauls in years. The proposal is aimed at making AI tools more understandable, traceable and easier to audit when they are used in sensitive settings.

The measure would increase disclosure requirements for developers and operators of systems judged to pose greater risks to public safety, civil rights or democratic processes. Supporters say the changes are needed to reduce opaque decision-making and give regulators a better chance of catching harmful failures before they affect users.

The vote comes as governments worldwide wrestle with how to manage rapidly expanding AI use without blocking innovation. In Europe, the debate has centered on balancing competitiveness with protections for privacy, consumer rights and accountability when automated systems influence hiring, policing, health care or online speech.

The broader digital regulation package is still moving through the legislative process, but Friday’s vote signals continued momentum for tougher oversight. If adopted, the rules could set a reference point for other countries considering how to regulate advanced AI systems.