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The EU just agreed a landmark deal to regulate AI

This video is part of: Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution

In a groundbreaking move, the European Union has reached a landmark agreement to regulate artificial intelligence (AI). This marks the first time a world power has enacted such a law, setting a precedent for global AI governance.

The new law will encompass a wide range of AI applications, including those used in government surveillance and publicly available models like ChatGPT. This means developers of such models, like OpenAI, will need to comply with strict regulations before launching their products in the EU.

Focus areas of EU's AI regulations

Key aspects of the law include:

Data Training Transparency: Firms must provide detailed summaries of the data used to train their AI systems, ensuring responsible and ethical data practices.
Copyright Compliance: Adherence to EU copyright laws is mandatory to prevent infringement and protect intellectual property rights.
Biometric Surveillance Restrictions: The use of facial and voice recognition technologies in public spaces is strictly limited, with governments only allowed to deploy them under specific circumstances, such as preventing serious crimes or terrorist attacks.

Consumer empowerment and enforcement

The law empowers consumers to raise complaints against AI systems they believe violate their rights. Additionally, firms that breach the regulations face hefty fines of up to €35 million, ensuring strong compliance incentives.

A global model for responsible AI

Experts believe the EU's AI law could become a blueprint for other countries, paving the way for a more responsible and ethical approach to AI development and deployment worldwide. This aligns with the World Economic Forum's AI Governance Alliance, which aims to unite stakeholders and champion the design and release of transparent and inclusive AI systems.

The EU's groundbreaking AI law marks a significant step towards a future where AI is used responsibly and ethically, benefitting individuals, societies, and the world at large.