The Artificial Intelligence News Source

Back in July, the EU spearheaded a new series of regulations for AI.

The European Union has implemented comprehensive regulations for artificial intelligence through the AI Act, which came into force on August 1, 2024¹². Here are some key aspects of the AI Act:

1. Risk-Based Classification: The AI Act classifies AI systems based on the level of risk they pose:

• Minimal Risk: Systems like spam filters and AI-enabled video games face no obligations but can voluntarily adopt additional codes of conduct.
• Specific Transparency Risk: Systems such as chatbots must clearly inform users they are interacting with a machine, and certain AI-generated content must be labeled.
• High Risk: Systems like AI-based medical software or recruitment tools must comply with strict requirements, including risk mitigation, high-quality data sets, clear user information, and human oversight.
• Unacceptable Risk: AI systems that allow “social scoring” by governments or companies are banned due to their threat to fundamental rights¹².

1. Uniform Framework: The AI Act provides a uniform regulatory framework across all EU countries, ensuring consistent standards and obligations for AI developers and deployers¹.
2. Focus on Fundamental Rights: The regulations emphasize protecting citizens’ health, safety, and fundamental rights, aiming to foster responsible AI development and deployment¹.
3. General Purpose AI (GPAI): The Act includes specific rules for GPAI models, addressing transparency, copyright-related rules, and risk management. A Code of Practice for GPAI providers is being developed, with input from various stakeholders¹.
4. Global Leadership: The EU aims to be a global leader in safe AI by developing a strong regulatory framework based on human rights and fundamental values¹.

These regulations are designed to balance innovation with safety, ensuring that AI technologies benefit society while minimizing potential risks.

(1) AI Act enters into force – European Commission. https://commission.europa.eu/news/ai-act-enters-force-2024-08-01_en.
(2) Artificial intelligence act – European Parliament. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2021/698792/EPRS_BRI%282021%29698792_EN.pdf.
(3) AI Act – Shaping Europe’s digital future. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/regulatory-framework-ai.
(4) AI: EU agrees landmark deal on regulation of artificial intelligence – BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67668469.
(5) EU sets global standards with first major AI regulations | World …. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/12/europe-landmark-ai-regulation-deal/.