European Artificial Intelligence Authority – AI under surveillance at European Union level

It’s been a month since the European Parliament passed the AI Act. The AI Act is the world’s first comprehensive attempt to regulate artificial intelligence. If the legislative procedure is carried out according to the planned schedule, the AI Act is expected to gradually take effect from the second quarter of this year. 

It is expected that within the next 2-3 years all AI Act rules will be binding throughout the European Union. Currently, the Regulation is still awaiting final adoption by the Council of the European Union. However, it is already worth considering what role the European AI Authority will play. The answer to this question can be found in this article.

What will the European Artificial Intelligence Authority be ?

The European Artificial Intelligence Authority is the first milestone on the road to safe, modern, and uniform legal regulation of artificial intelligence in the EU.

The AI experts who will be in the AI Office will be responsible for:

• uniform application of the AI Act across the 27 EU member states,
• coordinating central AI policy in the EU. Of course, in cooperation with companies, stakeholders, European offices, international organizations and third countries,
• controlling the operation of GPAI – general-purpose artificial intelligence models and systems.

Since February 21 of this year, the process of forming the Authority within the structure of the European Commission – the Directorate General for Communication Networks, Content and Technology – has begun. 

The international nature of AI requires international oversight

The dynamic time of development of AI technology on an unprecedented scale that has taken place over the past few years, also known as the “spring of artificial intelligence,” has shown that AI has reached many socio-economic areas.

The development of AI has opened up new avenues of benefit at a surprisingly rapid pace. In addition, AI-based tools can support process automation, faster database searches and data comparison.

Definitely, therefore, the “AI Winter” is over. At the same time, it seems indisputable that the uncontrolled development of AI creates risks to data security, public interest or human rights. This is especially so because the data that AI uses largely comes from the Internet, hence in a sense “has no borders.”

In view of this, the EU decided to adopt a supranational regulation for the supervision of AI development, corresponding to the characteristics of this technology. In order to fully realize this goal, it also became necessary to establish a central control body for the application of the AI Act. 

For these reasons, familiarity with the AI Act is only the first step on the road to responsible and legal use of AI. This is because the practice of supervising the application of the AI Act will be within the competence of the Office for Artificial Intelligence.

In addition, the Authority is also expected to support state regulators in each EU member state to ensure as much as possible that the application of the AI Act is harmonized. Therefore, it is worth keeping up to date with information regarding the AI Authority.

Why is the Artificial Intelligence Authority important for the security of your business?

The Artificial Intelligence Authority will have a very broad remit in shaping AI law in the European Union.

From the office we will learn about:

• development strategies,
• minimum standards for AI security,
• planned changes in the law,
• conditions for offering AI services,
• codes of conduct,
• codes of good practice.

Due to cooperation with third countries, it is also possible that AI Act practice will have an impact beyond the EU border. 

By being aware of the upcoming AI law changes, you can gain an edge in international business by strengthening your governance. In addition, it is worth considering implementing regulations for the use of artificial intelligence in your own company. This will ensure protection for your business and your customers.

If you are doing business in the area of AI, then you need to know that the AI Office will have supervisory powers – and in all EU member states. The main purpose is to verify that general purpose artificial intelligence (GPAI) models comply with the AI Act.

Failure to comply with the AI Act conduct will be able to impose appropriate financial sanctions on your enterprise. Therefore, AI office is expected to support the use of sandboxes so that you can first test the legality of AI solutions in a closed environment.

Our lawyers are constantly monitoring the development of AI regulations, because we know that AI requires that technology and law go hand in hand. This is the only way we can stay on top of the latest trends.

Wondering how to ensure that your conduct complies with the AI Act? Want to avoid possible financial sanctions that the European AI Authority may impose on you in the future?

Contact us, and we will help you comply with current regulations and guide you through the complex world of AI regulation.

Write to us at [email protected]. We will ensure a response within 24 hours!