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The European Union (EU) is leading the way in regulating artificial intelligence (AI) with the AI Act, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that aims to ensure the ethical and trustworthy use of AI across various sectors. The AI Act has been approved by the EU Parliament’s Internal Market and Civil Liberties Committees and is expected to be voted on by the full Parliament in April.
What is the AI Act?
The AI Act is a comprehensive framework that sets out rules and standards for AI development and deployment in the EU. It covers a wide range of AI applications, from banking and automotive to electronics and aviation. It also addresses the emerging field of foundational models or generative AI, which are large-scale AI systems that can generate content such as text, images, or audio based on massive data sets. Examples of such models include OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s BERT.
The Act aims to foster innovation and competitiveness in the EU’s AI sector while ensuring respect for human rights and fundamental values. It proposes a risk-based approach that classifies AI systems into four categories: unacceptable, high-risk, limited-risk, and minimal-risk. Unacceptable AI systems are those that violate human dignity or endanger public safety, such as biometric categorization and social scoring.
‼️ AI Act takes a step forward:
— LIBE Committee Press (@EP_Justice) February 13, 2024
MEPs in @EP_Justice & @EP_SingleMarket have endorsed the provisional agreement on an Artificial Intelligence Act that ensures safety and complies with fundamental rights 👇https://t.co/EbXtLBfIoY@brandobenifei @IoanDragosT pic.twitter.com/J3NXRhxd9p
High-risk AI systems are those that have a significant impact on people’s lives or rights, such as health care, education, or law enforcement. These systems will be subject to strict requirements, such as transparency, human oversight, and quality assurance. Limited-risk AI systems are those that pose some risks to users or consumers, such as chatbots or video games. These systems will have to inform users that they are interacting with an AI system and not a human. Minimal-risk AI systems are those that pose no or negligible risks, such as spam filters or smart home devices. These systems will be largely exempt from the AI Act’s obligations.
The AI Act also aims to protect the interests and rights of AI creators and users. It provides for intellectual property rights for AI-generated content, as well as safeguards for business secrets and personal data. It also establishes a governance structure for AI regulation, involving national authorities, an EU-wide AI Board, and an AI Office within the European Commission.
Why is the AI Act important?
The AI Act is the world’s first legislation dedicated to AI, and it sets a global precedent for how AI should be governed. It reflects the EU’s vision of human-centric and value-based AI, which balances innovation and ethics. It also responds to the growing demand for legal certainty and accountability in the AI sector, which has been facing increasing scrutiny and criticism for its potential harms and biases.
The Act is expected to have a significant impact on the EU’s AI ecosystem, as well as on the global AI market. It will create a harmonized and predictable legal environment for AI developers and providers, as well as for AI users and consumers. It will also enhance the trust and confidence in AI systems, as well as their social acceptance and uptake. Moreover, it will promote the EU’s leadership and influence in the international AI arena, as well as its cooperation and dialogue with other regions and stakeholders.
What are the next steps for the AI Act?
The AI Act is not yet final and binding. It still needs to be approved by the full EU Parliament, as well as by the Council of the EU, which represents the member states. The final vote is expected to take place in April, after which the Act will enter into force. However, the Act will not be immediately applicable. It will have a transition period of 24 months, during which the EU and the member states will have to prepare for its implementation. Some specific provisions, such as those related to data governance and international transfers, will take effect earlier.
The AI Act is also subject to review and revision, as the AI landscape is constantly evolving and changing. The AI Act will be monitored and evaluated by the European Commission, with the assistance of the AI Board and the AI Office. The Act will also be aligned with other relevant EU policies and initiatives, such as the Digital Services Act, the Data Governance Act, and the European AI Strategy.
The AI Act is a landmark achievement for the EU and a milestone for the global AI community. It represents a bold and ambitious attempt to regulate AI in a way that fosters innovation and protects human dignity. It also sets an example and a challenge for other regions and actors to follow and contribute to the development of a responsible and trustworthy AI.
