BACKGROUND

The European Union Artificial Intelligence Act (The EU AI Act) was proposed essentially with the idea of laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a quickly evolving branch of technology that can bring a wide array of economic and societal benefits across the socio-economic spectrum. Improving prediction, optimising operations and resource allocation and personalising service delivery, the use of artificial intelligence can support beneficial social and environmental outcomes, providing key competitive advantages to companies and the European economy. However, the same elements and techniques that power the socio-economic benefits of AI can also bring about new risks or negative consequences for an individual and in turn society at large. Considering the speed of technological change and possible challenges, the EU committed to come up with a balanced approach.

The European Council called for a ‘sense of urgency to address emerging trends’, in 2017, including ‘issues such as artificial intelligence …, while at the same time ensuring a high level of data protection, digital rights and ethical standards’ . In its 2019 “Conclusions on the Coordinated Plan on the development and use of artificial intelligence”, the European Council highlighted the necessity of ensuring that its citizens rights are fully respected, in turn calling for a review of the existing relevant legislation in this field to make it more relevant with the new opportunities and challenges raised by AI. It proposed further clarifications and determination of the AI applications that should and would be considered high-risk. The most recent conclusions further called for addressing the opacity, complexity, bias, degree of unpredictability and partially autonomous behaviour of certain AI systems, to ensure that they align and are compatible with the fundamental rights of citizens, and can also be brought under proper jurisdiction.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROPOSAL

• ensuring that AI systems placed in the European Union market are used safely, respecting the existing laws on fundamental rights and Union values

• ensuring legal certainty in facilitating investment and innovation in A...

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