Tag: AI Regulations

Elevating Europe’s AI Landscape: EU AI Regulations In Top Form 

Posted on by Monica

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI), as pictured in sci-fi movies, is now becoming a reality. Its ability to change work dynamics across various industries and, furthermore, to change our lives has become increasingly evident.         

There are some risks associated with AI that might prove more dangerous to humanity than beneficial. Some of the risks associated with its deployment are bias, discrimination, and lack of transparency. To mitigate these risks, UNESCO formed an agreement on the ethics of AI, whereas the US has passed certain laws and is working on further regulations. However, right at the forefront of this charge is the European Union (EU), which took the lead in creating comprehensive frameworks and laws to regulate AI.

  

EU AI Regulations 2018  

The EU AI regulations have been discussed in the EU since 2018 with the publication of the European Commission’s “Communication on Artificial Intelligence for Europe.” The EU’s AI strategy emphasized the importance of ethical, legal, and socio-economic guidelines for AI development. 

Specifically, the vision is to have an AI that respects fundamental human rights, values, and ethical principles while emphasizing the need for trustworthy AI. As part of the communication, the EU was also urged to coordinate AI regulations in the union, as well as cooperate with foreign cooperation on AI governance.    

While not specifically targeting AI, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) played a crucial role in shaping the EU’s approach to AI regulations. Implemented in May 2018, the GDPR focused on protecting individuals’ data rights, including personal data used in AI systems. GDPR influenced subsequent AI regulations, particularly those concerning data privacy, transparency, and accountability.     

EU AI Regulations 2019 

In April 2019, the EU’s High-Level Expert Group on AI (AI HLEG), established by the European Commission, published “Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI.” which set out seven key principles for AI development and deployment. These principles are –  

7 Key Principles For AI Development & Deployment  

As part of these, a framework was established for AI assessments that involved evaluating the impact of artificial intelligence on fundamental rights, such as privacy, non-discrimination, and freedom of expression. This also served as a valuable reference for subsequent regulatory efforts.  

EU AI Regulations 2020 

In February 2020, the EU published a “White Paper on AI: A European Approach to Excellence and Trust” to plan future AI regulations. The white paper proposed a risk-based approach to AI regulation, which classified AI systems according to their level of risk and required different levels of oversight and transparency depending on their risk level. 

It also proposed a range of measures to promote innovation and investment in AI, such as increased funding for research and development and creating a European AI marketplace.  

EU AI Regulations 2021 – 2023 

Building upon earlier initiatives, the European Commission introduced a landmark proposal, the “Regulation on a European Approach for Artificial Intelligence” (AI Act), in April 2021. The AI Act aims to establish a harmonized legal framework for AI systems, balancing innovation and protection. 

The regulation requires AI systems to be designed and developed in a way that respects fundamental rights and freedoms, such as the right to privacy and the right to non-discrimination. It introduces several notable provisions –   

  • The AI Act prohibits AI systems that manipulate human behavior in a deceptive or harmful manner, such as social scoring for government surveillance.   
  • The AI Act mandates transparency regarding AI’s purpose, nature, and consequences for users. It requires high-risk AI systems to undergo conformity assessments by authorized bodies, ensuring compliance with strict data and technical requirements.   
  • The AI Act imposes obligations for developers and providers of AI systems, including comprehensive documentation, robust data governance, and human oversight.  

The AI Act sparked intense discussions among stakeholders, including AI developers, businesses, civil society organizations, and policymakers.

Feedback was considered to refine and amend the proposal, addressing concerns such as the scope of high-risk AI applications, the potential impact on innovation, and the balance between regulation and competitiveness. 

The European Parliament and the Council actively reviewed the AI Act, ensuring it aligns with the diverse perspectives and requirements of EU member states. The draft of which was passed by the EU lawmakers on April 27, 2023, and was further approved by a committee of lawmakers in the EU parliament on May 12, 2023, taking it a step closer to becoming the law.   

In addition to the AI Act, the EU is exploring complementary regulations to address data sharing for AI development while safeguarding the privacy and data protection via the Data Governance Act (DGA). It was proposed in November 2020 with the aim of facilitating data sharing across sectors and EU countries while ensuring data protection and fostering trust.   

It is a set of rules designed to expand access to public sector data for developing new products & services. The DGA applies not only to personal data but to any digital representation of acts, facts, or information.   

The rules came into force on June 23, 2022, and will take effect in September 2023. It creates a framework to facilitate data sharing and provides a secure environment for organizations or individuals to access information.    

Conclusion  

The EU’s journey towards AI regulation showcases its commitment to ensuring ethical, transparent, and accountable development and deployment of AI systems.  

From the inception of guidelines to the proposed AI Act, the EU has taken significant strides to balance fostering innovation and safeguarding fundamental rights. While the AI Act is about to become law, it represents a milestone in shaping the future of EU AI regulations. 

These efforts position the EU as a leading authority in the global AI landscape, emphasizing the importance of responsible AI development and deployment for the benefit of society. Moreover, if you need any more information on EU AI regulations, innovative AI solutions, etc, feel free to get in touch with us…

AI Regulations: A Global Perspective

Posted on by Monica

 

It has long been recognized that continuous learning and improvements are essential for success in a constantly changing world. However, the pace of change and learning is now so rapid that people will soon start emphasizing the need to train AI models to remain in the competition. 

“If we want to stay ahead, our AI system must be the best” will become the new motto of success. It’s also possible that the science fiction scenarios of machines competing could soon become a reality. However, to prevent AI from having any kind of adverse impact, it is imperative the space remains regulated. 

UNESCO’s Approach To AI Regulations

Taking the lead on AI’s impacts, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has led in promoting responsible AI development and deployment. In 2019, UNESCO released a report titled “Steering AI and Advanced ICTs for Knowledge Societies: A Rights, Openness, Access, and Multi-stakeholder Perspective,” which outlines their vision for AI regulation.     

The report emphasized the need for a multi-stakeholder approach involving input from governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector. It also called for developing ethical and legal frameworks to guide the development and deployment of AI. Moreover, the report identified several key principles that must be incorporated into frameworks as follows –  

Transparency

AI systems should be designed to be explainable and understandable to all stakeholders, including end-users. It means developers should be transparent about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems work, what data they use, and how they make decisions.     

Accountability 

Developers of AI systems should be held accountable for the outcomes of their systems. It includes addressing any unintended consequences or negative impacts of AI and ensuring that AI systems are used in a way that respects human rights and dignity.  

Inclusivity 

AI systems should be designed and developed to promote inclusivity and diversity. This includes ensuring that AI systems are not biased against any particular group of people.  

Furthermore, in March 2021, UNESCO Member States adopted the first-ever worldwide agreement on the ethics of artificial intelligence (AI). The agreement is called the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. It is designed to guide the development and use of AI in an ethical, transparent, and accountable way based on four principles:  

AI Regulations - four principles

It also includes guidelines for AI development, deployment, and governance, such as ensuring human oversight, protecting privacy and personal data, and addressing bias and discrimination. The Recommendation is not legally binding but intended to serve as a framework for ethical AI development and use.   

USA’s Approach To AI Regulations  

The regulations on AI in the USA are in their very nascent stage. The United States has taken a decentralized approach to regulating AI, with different states and agencies developing their regulations.  

For example, California has passed the California Consumer Privacy Act, which gives consumers the right to know what personal data is being gathered about them and to request that it be deleted. The act is inclusive of AI systems that collect personal information. However, there have been recent efforts to develop more comprehensive national-level federal AI regulations.  

In 2019, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a set of guidelines for trustworthy AI. The guidelines emphasize the importance of transparency, explainability, and accountability in developing and deploying AI systems.  

In 2020, the White House released a set of principles for AI regulation, which include promoting public trust in AI, ensuring the safety and security of AI systems, and encouraging innovation and competition in the AI industry. The US Congress passed two bills on AI, namely the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (NAIIA) and The AI in Government Act of 2020.   

The National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 202 and the AI in Government Act of 2020 aim to establish a national strategy for developing and using artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States. 

The bill establishes the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative, which would coordinate AI research and development across federal agencies, academia, and the private sector.  

The NAIIA emphasizes the importance of fairness and transparency in AI systems and establishes an AI Center of Excellence to promote the development and use of safe and effective AI in the federal government. 

Additionally, the act requires federal agencies to report to Congress on their use of AI and ensure that their use of AI is fair, transparent, and accountable. 

These regulations and laws aim to ensure that AI is created and employed in an ethical and responsible manner that benefits society.   

Blueprint For An AI Bill Of Rights

Though the laws are under process to protect public rights through AI and promote responsible usage of AI, the US government has issued voluntary guidance through its Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights. 

The Blueprint for an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bill of Rights is a set of 5 principles that aims to protect public rights and promote responsible AI development. These principles include:  

The Right To Transparency: AI systems should be designed and operated transparently so that people can understand how they work and make decisions.  

Right To Privacy: AI systems should respect people’s privacy and protect their personal data.   

Right To Fairness: AI systems should be designed and operated fairly and unbiasedly so that everyone has an equal chance of benefiting from them.  

The Right To Accountability: AI systems should be accountable for their actions, and their designers and operators should be held responsible for any harm they cause.  

The Right To Education: People should have access to education and training to better understand AI and its potential impact on society. 

Conclusion

AI Regulations are at a budding stage in the US. Moreover, there are several proposed bills in the US Congress aimed at regulating AI to address issues like bias in AI & the use of AI in government decision-making. We hope to soon witness many stringent regulations coming into force to promote the development and use of AI ethically and responsibly. 

As AI technology continues to advance, these regulations must be continuously reviewed and updated to ensure that they remain relevant and effective. A leading role in acting first and constantly reviewing the AI regulations is taken by the countries of the European Union, which we will discuss in the next post. So, stay tuned! 

Moreover, if you need any additional information on AI approaches, innovative AI solutions, etc, feel free to get in touch with us…