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)
[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R0694&qid=1702915201449]
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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Publication Date/Time
2023-12-21T09:00:00+00:00
Legal framework sets global precedent in regulating Artificial
Intelligence