What EU AI Act Meaning, Applications & Example
European Union regulation to ensure the safety and trustworthiness of AI systems.
What is the EU AI Act?
EU AI Act is a landmark regulation introduced by the European Union to establish legal frameworks for artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe. It aims to ensure that AI systems are used in a manner that is safe, ethical, and respects fundamental rights. The Act classifies AI systems into different risk categories and sets out requirements for each, including transparency , accountability, and oversight.
The EU AI Act entered into force on 1 August 2024, marking the beginning of its implementation.
Types of AI Systems Under the EU AI Act
- High-Risk AI: AI systems that have significant potential to impact safety or fundamental rights, such as AI in healthcare, transport, or law enforcement. These systems are subject to strict requirements for transparency, data quality , and human oversight.
- Limited-Risk AI: AI systems with moderate risk that are subject to specific requirements like transparency in use, but with less stringent controls than high-risk systems.
- Minimal-Risk AI: AI systems with low risk, such as spam filters or recommendation engines, that are not subject to additional regulatory requirements.
Applications of the EU AI Act
- Regulation of AI in Healthcare: Ensuring AI in medical devices or diagnostics complies with safety and ethical standards.
- AI in Law Enforcement: Regulating AI use in surveillance, facial recognition , and predictive policing.
- AI for Consumer Protection: Ensuring AI-driven products, like chatbots and recommendation systems, are transparent and non-deceptive.
Example of the EU AI Act
A facial recognition system used by law enforcement agencies to identify suspects would fall under the high-risk AI category, requiring strict adherence to data protection, transparency, and accountability standards as outlined by the EU AI Act.