Social implications of AI

AI regulation

As part of its digital agenda, the European Commission has proposed harmonised rules regarding AI applications, emphasising that its approach is shaped by EU values and risk-based, ensuring both safety and fundamental rights protection.

In April 2021, the European Commission released its 108-page proposal to regulate AI, describing it as an attempt to ensure a “well-functioning internal market for artificial intelligence systems” that is based on “EU values and fundamental rights.” It is the bloc’s first major attempt to comprehensively regulate such systems, and could have global repercussions.

Classification of AI risk

AI Act

Prohibition of unacceptable AI practices - The Commission proposes to ban completely AI systems that:

manipulate persons through subliminal techniques or exploit the fragility of vulnerable individuals, and could potentially harm the manipulated individual or third person;

serve for general purposes of social scoring, if carried out by public authorities; or
are used for running real time remote biometric identification systems in publicly accessible spaces for law enforcement purposes.

Regulation of high-risk AI systems - High-risk AI systems are defined as those that:
are part of a product falling under the EU product safety regulation, such as toys or medical devices;

or belong to a list of stand-alone high-risk AI systems laid down by the proposal, such as AI systems assessing the creditworthiness of individuals or used in the context of recruitment.

References

A European approach to artificial intelligence, EC,
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/european-approach-artificial-intelligence
Accelerating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, UN,
https://aiforgood.itu.int/
Top 9 ethical issues in artificial intelligence, UN,
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/10/top-10-ethical-issues-in-artificial-intelligence/
Martina Anzini, The Artificial Intelligence Act Proposal and its implications for Member States, EIPA Briefing 2021/5

Social implications of AI

AI regulation

Classification of AI risk

AI Act

References

Exercises

Exercise: Multiple choice

What AI systems are prohibited according to the AI Act?

Exercise: True / False

Are AI systems that manipulate persons through subliminal techniques or exploit the fragility of vulnerable individuals prohibited by the AI Act?