Why is it in the news?

• European Union (EU) lawmakers have recently achieved a significant milestone by reaching a provisional deal on a comprehensive set of rules governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
• The primary goal is to establish the world’s first comprehensive legal framework to regulate the deployment and impact of artificial intelligence.
• It is to safeguard fundamental rights, democratic principles, and environmental concerns while fostering innovation in the AI domain.

Key Provisions of the AI Law

Four Levels of Risks:

• Unacceptable Risk: They are banned. Example: Deployment of mass-scale facial recognition is banned due to its high risk.
• High Risk: Allowed but subject to certification to ensure safety and accountability, such as AI tools for self-driving cars.
• Medium Risk: Can be deployed without restrictions but require detailed documentation for transparency. Examples include generative AI chatbots.
• Minimal Risk: No restrictions on applications like AI-powered spam filters and video games.

Biometric Surveillance: Governments can employ real-time biometric surveillance in public areas only under exceptional circumstances, such as during serious threats like terrorist attacks.

Empowering Consumers: Consumers have the right to launch complaints against perceived violations, emphasizing individual agency and accountability.

Penalties for Non-Compliance: Fines will be imposed based on a percentage of the global annual turnover or a predetermined amount, whichever is higher. This stringent approach aims to incentivize compliance.

EU AI Office: The establishment of the EU AI Office is proposed, tasked with monitoring and penalizing entities that violate the AI regulations, reinforcing regulatory oversight.

Comparison with Other Countries

Significance

• The EU Artificial Intelligence Act represents a groundbreaking effort to balance innovation with ethical considerations, setting a global precedent for comprehensive AI regulations.