EU lawmakers hold a crucial vote Thursday towards setting restrictions on how AI such as ChatGPT can be used in the European Union.

European Parliament committees will set out their position for upcoming negotiations with EU member states that aim to create a law to prevent abuses in the way artificial intelligence is used, while still giving room for innovation.

The bloc wants to be the global pioneer in regulating the technology, which has ignited public and corporate interest in the past few months.

Brussels’ move towards that goal actually started two years ago, with a European Commission proposal. EU member states came up with their negotiation position at the end of last year.

But the emergence since then of ChatGPT, Midjourney and other AI applications has greatly focused the parliament’s attention on the issue, resulting in an avalanche of amendments that have to be considered.

Once the committees’ vote is held on Thursday, the full European Parliament will have its say with a plenary vote next month.

“I think we are putting forward a very good and balanced text” that protects people while allowing innovation, said Brando Benifei, one of the lead MEPs on the text to be voted on Thursday.