AI-ENABLED nudification has an urgent “need for regulation” as rules are due to be drawn up this August.
Michael McNamara MEP is seeking closer legislative attention of AI and its “nudification tools.” He explained, “Recent controversy involving AI-enabled ‘nudification’ tools highlight the need for regulation in the development of AI.”
This morning (January 15th), McNamara was appointed Rapporteur of the European Parliament on the proposed AI Act Omnibus, the European Commission’s legislative package amending key elements of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act.
During his appointment, he said, “As Rapporteur, I will be exploring whether the non-consensual generation or manipulation of intimate images using AI should be explicitly classified as a prohibited practice, in order to provide legal clarity, strengthen enforcement, and ensure that the AI Act remains responsive to emerging and demonstrably harmful uses of the technology.”
McNamara will assume responsibility for steering the Parliament’s position on proposed changes to timelines, obligations and enforcement mechanisms under the AI Act. He has been Co-Chair of the European Parliament’s Joint IMCO–LIBE Working Group on the Implementation and Enforcement of the AI Act since joining the parliament and has underlined that his approach as Rapporteur would focus on legal certainty, proportionality, and enforceability.
However, “speed matters,” according to McNamara. With rules for high-risk AI systems due for application in August, he claimed, “the legislation seeks to delay before they come into effect to give member states and affected companied more time to prepare for implementation.” McNamara stated, “Urgency cannot replace evidence, transparency, or accountability.”
High-risk AI systems are those that have a high potential to cause significant harm or infringement of rights, requiring strict regulations.
One of the most consequential digital files currently before the EU, the AI Act is currently the subject of considerable attention from the current US administration. “While such practices raise serious concerns for dignity, privacy, and fundamental rights, they are not currently addressed explicitly in the AI Act’s list of prohibited practices,” he highlighted.
The AI Act was first adopted in 2024 “to protect fundamental rights, ensure legal certainty, and create the conditions for responsible innovation in Europe.” He continued, “I expect that the Parliament’s scrutiny of the Omnibus will be rigorous and evidence-based the task is to ensure that amendments genuinely simplify implementation without weakening the Act’s core safeguards.”
“If the EU wants to remain a global standard-setter on artificial intelligence, it must show confidence in its regulatory framework and ensure that innovation is supported by clarity, enforcement credibility, and public trust,” he said.
Work on the file will proceed with McNamara leading negotiations for the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs while engaging closely with the European Commission, Council, national authorities, industry, and civil society stakeholders.
