European Parliament and the Council reach ground-breaking agreement on the Artificial Intelligence Act

The European Parliament and the Council have reached a political agreement on the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) proposed by the European Commission in April 2021. This legal framework, a global first, categorises Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems based on their potential risks to citizens' rights and safety, marking a pivotal moment in the regulating AI technologies.

While most AI systems are considered part of the minimal risk category and carry no obligations, those identified as high-risk must comply with strict requirements. These include risk-mitigation, high-quality of datasets, logging of activity, detailed documentation, clear user information, human oversight, and a high level of robustness, accuracy and cybersecurity. Some AI systems are considered part of the unacceptable risk group and will be banned.

Designed to ensure AI is both trustworthy and human-centric, the new rules emphasise ethical sourcing and will be implemented across all Member States. Non-complying companies will be subject to fines. This comprehensive approach underscores the EU's commitment to fostering ethical AI development and upholding the safety and rights of its citizens.

Moreover, this landmark agreement is highly relevant in the world of open data. The Act’s focus on transparency, data quality and user information aligns with the principles of open data accessibility and integrity. By advocating for ethical AI principles, it supports responsible data use, bridging the gap between trustworthy technology and open data principles.

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