European Leadership in Regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The European Union has a long history of high standards in drafting legislative frameworks in policymaking for its EU Member States, starting with the Paris Treaty during the founding of the European Steel and Coal Community in 1951, which consisted of countries; Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, France, Italy and West Germany. Until that time the EU even expanded parts of its influence on drafting legislative frameworks beyond its continental borders.
This also includes other foreign governments worldwide setting similar standards. As the EU is also one of the leading trading partners worldwide in avoiding trade barriers and maintain smooth relations, allowing easy market access for products and services and creating trust for consumers to uphold and protect their rights. It’s not difficult and quite easy to understand that Artificial Intelligence (AI) also plays a role now and, as time progresses, in terms of safety, security and consumer behaviour.
Fostering Trustworthy AI
By fostering trustworthy AI within European borders and beyond, the world’s first AI Act ensures that AI systems respect fundamental rights, safety, and ethical principles while at the same time addressing the risks posed by powerful and impactful AI models. This is crucial in building trust in AI technologies and maximizing their potential to address societal challenges.
The complexity of the AI decision-making processes can make it very difficult to decide whether individuals have been unfairly disadvantaged in contexts, such as hiring decisions or public benefit schemes, which for instance, happened in The Netherlands, which is also known as the ‘Dutch childcare benefits scandal’. This also happened in countries elsewhere that “experimented” with the implementation of AI. Hence, it’s important to make sure the right measures are being addressed and those involved are being informed.
For example, in high risks management consider AI technologies used in; critical infrastructure, educational or vocational trainings, essential private and public services, law enforcement, judicial systems and migration, asylum and border management. Limited risks refer specifically to the lack of transparency. For instance, if AI systems are being used as chatbots for customer service, humans should be aware they are speaking to a machine. In essence, each provider should make sure users are made aware of AI-generated content. This also implies the publication of AI-content in video and visual presentations.
The European AI Office
The European AI Office consists of a selected group of experts, policymakers and researchers across the EU that play a key role in implementing the AI Act in various EU-countries. The EU AI office’s aim is to be able to play an important role in advancing AI for being used in a responsible way by first addressing the opportunities and challenges and second, assisting and aligning governance systems in Member States and their responsibilities. The AI Act not only plays a role in the European Union, but at the same time also has implications and influence in shaping global discussions and practices surrounding AI governance in general.
Here’s how the European AI Office has a tremendous influence on the global stage in terms of regulation and governance:
- Setting Global Standards: Since the AI Act is the first of its kind globally, it’s an example by definition for other countries, since it demonstrated a proactive approach to addressing the ethical, safety, and accountability of using AI.
- Promoting International Cooperation: Seen as a vocal point for gathering stakeholders worldwide, harmonizing AI regulations is already quite a challenge in itself, but by sharing best practices, and addressing common challenges collectively, it can make significant progress. Doing it this way, fosters a more cohesive and coordinated global approach to AI governance.
- Facilitating Trade and Innovation: In general, legal certainty and ensuring compliance with ethical and safety standards enhance trust among consumers, businesses, and investors in various directions. It usually regarded as the first stage in the deployment of AI-systems that are driving economic growth and fair competition forward.
- Addressing Global Concerns: The AI Act is here to address concerns regarding the societal impact of AI, such as privacy, discrimination, and algorithmic bias. By allowing countries to prioritize the protection of basic fundamental rights, and at the same time, ensuring accountability, other countries can use the EU’s regulatory framework as a model as well.
- Becoming a Global Reference Point: Already, its expertise, resources, and enforcement mechanisms position it as a global reference point for AI regulation, consultation, and collaboration. Other countries outside the EU seek guidance and alignment with the EU’s approach to AI governance to enhance collaborations, but most of all, ensure consistency in global AI regulations.
To conclude, the establishment of the European AI Office in combination with the implementation of the AI Act signal the EU’s commitment to shaping the future of AI in a manner that promotes trust, innovation, and respect for fundamental rights on a global scale.
Sources:
AI Act | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu)
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/european-approach-artificial-intelligence
EUR-Lex – 52020DC0065 – EN – EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_383
https://cose-eu.org/2024/04/15/eus-institutions-how-do-they-work/
