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Why do we need uniform rules for Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play an increasingly important role in both professional and private life in the future. That’s why it is essential to establish uniform rules to prevent misuse as much as possible.
AI doesn’t only impact products and consumers, but also business processes and workflows.
This is why, about six months ago, the EU adopted the world’s first law regulating AI.
The AI Regulation (also known as the Artificial Intelligence Act or AI Act) sets out uniform rules for providers of AI products in the EU and for the use of AI.
The main objective of the AI Act is to ensure the protection of fundamental rights, safety, and health of users, while also strengthening trust in the development and deployment of AI.
Who is the AI Regulation aimed at?
The AI Regulation of the European Union is primarily directed at developers, providers, and distributors of AI systems.
However, it also includes obligations for companies that use AI systems. These include the following responsibilities:
- Due diligence: Companies must ensure that the AI systems they use are legal and safe. Prohibited AI applications may not be used.
- Monitoring obligations: For high-risk AI systems, companies must monitor the systems during use, report issues, and make necessary adjustments.
- Transparency requirements: If AI systems interact with customers (e.g., chatbots), users must be informed that they are engaging with AI.
- Documentation: Companies using high-risk AI must keep records and document how the AI is used.
- Liability: If a company uses AI that causes harm (e.g., through discriminatory decisions), it may be held liable, even if it did not develop the AI itself.
Further explanations of the AI Regulation
More detailed explanations of the AI Regulation can be found in a comprehensive document from the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA) titled: “EU AI Act – What’s in it?”
This document provides an in-depth look at the following topics:
- What is considered Artificial Intelligence under the AI Act?
- Risk classification – How is AI regulated?
- What obligations apply to employers?
- What are the requirements for high-risk AI systems?
- What specific rules apply to employers?
- When do the different provisions take effect?
- What do employers need to consider now?
The first provisions of the AI Regulation will come into force at the beginning of next year.
The BDA document also includes details on how companies and their products are assigned to different risk levels, and how this could impact your organization.
