On May 21, 2024, the European Council announced its approval of the Artificial Intelligence or AI Act, to set a global standard AI regulation through a risk-based approach. “The new law aims to foster the development and uptake of safe and trustworthy AI systems across the EU’s single market by both private and public actors.” The AI Act provides classification of AI systems based on risk, with lower risk systems being subject to light transparency obligations and high-risk systems subject to more requirements and obligations. AI that is capable of cognitive behavioural manipulation, social scoring, and the use of AI for predictive policing based on biometric data that categorize people based on race, religion, or sexual orientation will be banned in the EU. An AI Office in the European Commission, scientific panel, and an AI Board with member states’ representatives will be implemented as governing bodies to ensure enforcement.

More information on the AI Act is available here.