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Irish Information Security Forum

EU Landmark AI Act has been approved by EU Council

Release Date: 21-May-2024

The European Union (EU) has made a significant stride in the regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the approval of the world's first comprehensive set of rules on AI, known as the AI Act. This landmark legislation, which is set to take effect next month, aims to harmonize rules on AI, fostering the development and uptake of safe and trustworthy AI systems across the EU’s single market.

 

The AI Act follows a ‘risk-based’ approach, meaning the higher the risk an AI system poses to society, the stricter the rules it must adhere to¹. It categorizes different types of AI according to risk, with AI systems presenting only limited risk subject to very light transparency obligations¹. High-risk AI systems, however, would be authorized but subject to a set of requirements and obligations to gain access to the EU market¹.

 

Certain AI systems, such as those used for cognitive behavioural manipulation and social scoring, will be banned from the EU due to their unacceptable risk¹. The law also prohibits the use of AI for predictive policing based on profiling and systems that use biometric data to categorize people according to specific categories such as race, religion, or sexual orientation¹.

 

Following the EU council’s approval of the AI Act, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced that it will lead the country’s implementation of these rules. The department has also launched a public consultation to inform Ireland’s approach to implementing the Act.

 

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, TD, emphasized that the AI Act strikes an “important balance” between boosting innovation and supporting the adoption of AI, while “ensuring that this takes place in an ethical and responsible way”. He also noted that the Act, being the first of its kind in the world, will likely set the standard for AI regulation in other jurisdictions.

 

The Act sets out a tiered approach to regulation based on how risky applications of the technology are deemed and sets different deadlines for implementing the various requirements. Some uses of AI, such as algorithm-based social scoring, will be prohibited by the end of 2024. Other uses, such as critical infrastructure, are deemed high-risk and will face stricter rules. Under the current timeline, full implementation will come in 2026.  Read more.

 

Download EU AI Act

EU AI Act Cover

 

 

 


References
(1) Artificial intelligence (AI) act: Council gives final green light to .... https://www.consilium.europa.eu/cs/press/press-releases/2024/05/21/artificial-intelligence-ai-act-council-gives-final-green-light-to-the-first-worldwide-rules-on-ai/pdf/.
(2) EU AI Act Clears Final Hurdle to Become Global Landmark. https://www.informationweek.com/machine-learning-ai/eu-ai-act-clears-final-hurdle-to-become-global-landmark.
(3) EU’s landmark AI Act passes final hurdle for adoption. https://www.siliconrepublic.com/machines/eu-ai-act-enters-force-ireland-public-consultation.
(4) Ministers welcome adoption of EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act. https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/c7fd8-ministers-welcome-adoption-of-eu-artificial-intelligence-ai-act/.
(5) EU's Landmark AI Act to Set Global Standards Next Month. https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/technology/2945044-eus-landmark-ai-act-to-set-global-standards-next-month.
(6) With landmark AI Act, the EU takes the lead in regulating artificial .... https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/eu-provisional-agreement-ai-act-regulate-artificial-intelligence.
(7) European Council approves AI Act, to come into effect next month. https://www.medianama.com/2024/05/223-eu-council-approves-landmark-ai-act/.
(8) What is Europe’s landmark AI legislation?. https://www.cnbcafrica.com/2024/what-is-europes-landmark-ai-legislation/.
(9) Europe sets benchmark for rest of the world with landmark AI laws. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/eu-countries-back-landmark-artificial-083159751.html.
(10) AI Act approved by the European Parliament –what comes next?. https://www.lawcareers.net/Explore/CommercialQuestion/Shoosmiths-AI-Act-approved-by-the-European-Parliament-what-comes-next.

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