EU approves world-first AI rules
Curated by
dailies
3 min read
32,493
2,800
The European Union has made history by approving the world's first comprehensive legal framework for artificial intelligence, known as the AI Act. This landmark legislation aims to regulate AI technologies based on their potential risks, ensuring the development of safe and trustworthy AI systems while protecting the rights of EU citizens.
AI Act Overview
The AI Act, approved by the European Parliament on March 13, 2024, and the European Council on May 21, 2024, is set to enter into force next month.
1
2
3
Its regulations will become applicable in two years, with specific provisions having staggered implementation timelines:
- Bans on prohibited practices: six months after entry into force
- Codes of practice: nine months after entry into force
- General-purpose AI rules, including governance: 12 months after entry into force
- Obligations for high-risk systems: 36 months after entry into force45
5
6
6 sources
Risk-Based AI Regulation
The AI Act regulates AI systems based on their risk levels, with high-risk AI systems facing the most stringent regulations. These include mandatory risk assessments, transparency about data usage, and human oversight for systems used in critical infrastructure or medical devices.
1
The act also bans certain AI applications that threaten citizens' rights, such as:
- Biometric categorization based on sensitive characteristics
- Untargeted scraping of facial images
- Emotion recognition in workplaces and schools
- Social scoring
- Predictive policing based solely on profiling2
3
4
4 sources
Enforcement and Oversight
The AI Act will establish an AI office within the European Commission to enforce the rules uniformly across the EU. A scientific panel of independent experts will provide technical and ethical guidance, and a board comprising representatives from member states will ensure broad-based input and oversight.
1
- The act's emphasis on stakeholder involvement through an advisory forum ensures that the evolving needs and concerns of various sectors are continually addressed.1
- During the two-year transitional period before full implementation, the newly established AI office and associated bodies will play a crucial role in guiding stakeholders through the compliance process.12
2 sources
Global Impact of AI Act
The AI Act's approval positions the EU as a global leader in AI regulation, setting a precedent for other regions considering similar frameworks. This pioneering move is expected to establish the EU's AI standards as the de facto global benchmark for trustworthy AI, influencing regulations in other regions, including the UK and the US
1
2
3
. By balancing innovation with safety, the EU aims to ensure that AI systems developed within its jurisdiction are both cutting-edge and aligned with European values and standards1
2
.3 sources
Related
how will the AI Act impact global AI regulations
what are the potential challenges in implementing the AI Act
how will the AI Act affect AI startups in the EU
what are the key differences between the AI Act and other AI regulations worldwide
how will the AI Act influence AI research and development in the EU
Keep Reading
GDPR and AI Nexus
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) faces unprecedented challenges in the age of artificial intelligence, as AI systems' capacity for mass data processing and automated decision-making raises complex questions about transparency, fairness, and individual rights. As reported by the European Parliament Research Service, while the GDPR provides a framework for data protection, its application to AI technologies often involves navigating vague and open-ended prescriptions, necessitating...
11,216
California's New AI Laws
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed several new laws aimed at regulating artificial intelligence, addressing concerns ranging from election misinformation to deepfake pornography. As reported by CBS News, these laws, which include some of the toughest measures in the United States to crack down on election deepfakes, are now facing potential legal challenges over free speech concerns.
12,405
Zuckerberg: AI Data Overvalued
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has sparked controversy by suggesting that creators and publishers overvalue their contributions to AI training data, a stance that aligns with the broader tech industry's perspective on the use of vast amounts of information for developing artificial intelligence systems.
15,889
AI National Security Memo
President Biden has issued a national security memorandum on artificial intelligence, establishing guidelines for AI usage in U.S. national security agencies that aim to balance technological advancement with safeguards against potential risks and misuse. As reported by Government Executive, the memo requires agencies to monitor, assess, and mitigate AI-related risks to privacy, bias, and human rights while fostering responsible innovation in the national security sector.
14,404