Countries of the European Union have agreed on the final version of the “Artificial Intelligence Act”, the first ever such regulation in the world.

In context of fast-growing AI technologies, including popular user applications and daily use technologies for hundreds of millions of people, the EU has passed a comprehensive law that tries to tackle dangers and regulate opportunities.

EU officer Mathieu Michel underlined “the importance of trust, transparency and accountability when dealing with new technologies while at the same time ensuring this fast-changing technology can flourish and boost European innovation”.

Analysts say the legal framework now presented was a reaction to the launch of Open AI’s ChatGPT in 2022, a model that revolutionised the way people use social media.

“Unacceptable” and “high risk” AIs

Some “unacceptable” uses of AI are banned, such as a ‘social scoring’ of people, emotional recognition in schools and workplaces, or predictive policing.

The law also prohibits “deploying subliminal, manipulative, or deceptive techniques to distort behaviour and impair informed decision-making”, as well as “exploiting vulnerabilities related to age, disability, or socio-economic circumstances”.

The evolution of deepfake contents (when AI generated video or audio imitate reality) will be closely monitored.

Real-time biometric identification (known as RBI) in public spaces will only be allowed in specific situations such as terrorist threats and identification of suspects in serious crimes.

“High risk” systems for health, safety, and fundamental rights of citizens will also be under the radar to make sure the use of AI systems do not pose a risk to humans and their rights.

For all allowed AI systems that have risks, users will have to respect privacy regulations and copyright licenses. Providers must explain how they train their AI models and draw up technical documentation, as well as codes of conduct.

A pioneer legal framework for AI

With this pioneer act, the EU becomes the first political entity to create a regulatory legal system for Artificial Intelligence.

The agreement includes bans of up to 35 million euros for companies that breach the law.

Most obligations will fall on providers and developers of AI platforms. The European Union will create an AI Office that will monitor how the act is implemented.  

A 3-yeard period of transition will allow companies using “high risk” to adapt to the new act.

The potential of AI well used

Speaking to Evangelical Focus earlier this year, Charlie Catlett, an expert in computer engineering, addressed some of the risks of the latest developments of AI around the world.

“I’m somewhat concerned about people substituting digital relationships for human relationships”, said Catlett. “Could these chat bots be controlled by an entity that wants to make money from the interaction? I think that’s a real danger”.

The AI expert pointed to “the area of medicine as one of the most promising fields where AI has a game-changing potential”.

He encouraged young people to ask themselves: “How can I use AI to do a better job of what I’m doing? If my job is done as unto the Lord, I want to look at these tools as opportunities to do a better job”.

Read more articles on Artificial Intelligence published on Evangelical Focus.