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Recital (97)

General-Purpose AI Models — Rationale

Plain-Language Summary

Explains why general-purpose AI (GPAI) models require specific rules given that they can be integrated into many downstream applications and may have broad societal impacts.

Keywords

GPAIgeneral-purpose AIsystemic riskdownstreamopen sourcefoundation model

Legal Text

General-purpose AI models may be integrated into a large variety of AI systems or applications. Such models may perform a wide range of functions and may be used in many different downstream applications. Given their broad applicability, GPAI models can present systemic risks when widely deployed at scale. The rules on GPAI models should cover both models that are made available to the public and those that are provided through APIs to downstream providers. Open source models should benefit from a lighter regime given the additional transparency they provide.
Recitals are the preamble paragraphs of the EU AI Act. They explain the intent behind provisions but are not directly binding.