European Union’s AI Act Adopted, Full Implementation to Follow by 2026

The European Union has recently approved the AI Act, a new type of regulation to ensure the safe and responsible development of artificial intelligence (AI) within the EU. This legislation marks the first case in the global efforts to regulate AI, as it sets a new standard for transparency, accountability, and ethical considerations in AI development and deployment. The AI Act, also known as the KI-Gesetz, is designed to address concerns about the potential risks and negative impacts of AI on society. Key aspects of the regulation include the requirement for AI systems to be transparent and explainable, ensuring that they are not discriminatory and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, the AI Act emphasizes the importance of human oversight in AI development and deployment, ensuring that other technologies do not solely control AI systems.

The regulation also includes specific restrictions on certain AI applications, such as mass surveillance using biometric data or the evaluation of social behavior, similar to China’s Social Scoring system. Additionally, emotion recognition, both in the workplace and educational settings, is prohibited under the new law. While the AI Act has been widely praised for its forward-thinking approach, there are also concerns about the potential limitations and challenges it may pose. The Digital Industry Association, Bitkom, has criticized the law for leaving certain questions unanswered and warning that the regulations may become outdated within two years. The AI Act is set to come into effect in the coming weeks, with full implementation expected by 2026. The regulation will apply to all entities developing, offering, or using AI systems within the EU, including both public and private parties. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure that AI is developed and used in a way that benefits society while minimizing potential risks.