EU AI Act Overview

    Overview and Key Measures

    The EU AI Act introduces a comprehensive regulatory framework aimed at ensuring the safe and ethical development of artificial intelligence systems within the European Union. This Act complements the existing General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by addressing the unique challenges posed by AI technologies, such as the need for transparency, accountability, and the protection of personal data.

    Classification of AI Systems

    The EU AI Act classifies AI systems into different risk categories, each with specific regulatory requirements. The classification is as follows:

    Prohibited AI Systems

    These include AI systems that pose an unacceptable risk, such as those that manipulate human behavior to the detriment of users or exploit vulnerabilities of specific groups. For more information, visit the European Commission.

    High-Risk AI Systems

    These systems are subject to stringent requirements due to their potential impact on safety and fundamental rights. Examples include AI used in critical infrastructure, education, employment, essential private and public services, law enforcement, and border control. More details can be found on the Consilium website.

    Limited Risk AI Systems

    These systems require transparency obligations, such as informing users that they are interacting with an AI system. This category includes chatbots and other AI systems that interact directly with users. More information is available at Digital Strategy.

    Minimal Risk AI Systems

    These systems are largely unregulated under the AI Act, as they pose minimal or no risk. Examples include AI systems used in video games or spam filters. For further reading, check out KPMG.

    Key Measures for High-Risk AI Systems

    Risk Management System

    High-risk AI systems must implement a comprehensive risk management system. This includes continuous identification, analysis, and mitigation of risks throughout the AI system’s lifecycle. Providers must document these processes and ensure they are updated regularly. For more details, refer to PwC.

    Data Governance

    Providers of high-risk AI systems must ensure robust data governance measures. This includes ensuring data quality, relevance, and representativeness. Data used for training, validation, and testing must be free from errors and biases to prevent discriminatory outcomes. Learn more at Crisis24.

    Documentation and Record-Keeping

    Comprehensive documentation is required for high-risk AI systems. This includes detailed technical documentation, logs of the AI system’s operation, and records of compliance with the AI Act. These documents must be made available to regulatory authorities upon request. More information can be found at Fieldfisher.

    Transparency and Information Provision

    High-risk AI systems must provide clear and understandable information to users. This includes the system’s capabilities, limitations, and the purpose for which it is used. Users must be informed when they are interacting with an AI system and provided with instructions for safe use. For further reading, visit Digital Strategy.

    Human Oversight

    The AI Act mandates human oversight for high-risk AI systems to ensure they operate as intended and to mitigate risks. This includes the ability to intervene and deactivate the system if necessary. The level of human oversight required depends on the specific use case and potential risks associated with the AI system. More details are available at DLA Piper.

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