Final acceptance of the new Artificial Intelligence Law by the Council of the EU: A step towards technological regulation

The European Union has taken a significant step towards regulating artificial intelligence (AI) with the recent approval of the Artificial Intelligence Law by the EU Council. This move not only marks a milestone in technology governance, but also reflects growing concern about the ethical and social impact of AI. In this blog, we will explore the reasons behind the passage of this law, when it will come into effect, and its main focus. Additionally, we will discuss how the AI Law relates to anonymization and privacy tools like Nymiz.

Why has the Law been given the green light?

The EU Artificial Intelligence Law has been passed for several key reasons:

• Protection of fundamental rights: The EU seeks to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens from potential abuses and discrimination that may arise from the unregulated use of AI.
• Foster responsible Innovation: By establishing a clear regulatory framework, the EU aims to create an environment where AI innovation can flourish safely and ethically. This will help Europe stay competitive in the global technology arena.
• Risk mitigation: The law introduces measures to identify and mitigate risks associated with AI, especially in high-risk applications such as health, safety and consumer rights.
• Transparency and accountability: Transparency in the use of AI and the responsibility of developers and users are promoted, ensuring that AI technologies are understandable and auditable.

When does it come into effect?

Although the law has already been approved by the EU Council, its implementation follows a detailed process. First, the European Parliament must ratify the law, which is expected to happen in the coming months. Once ratified, the law will have a transition period of about two years before its mandatory application, to allow companies and organizations to adapt to the new requirements.

Main focus of the Law

The EU Artificial Intelligence Law focuses on several crucial aspects:

• Risk classification: AI applications are classified into different risk levels, from minimal to unacceptable. Unacceptably risky applications are prohibited, while high-risk applications are subject to strict regulation and oversight.
• Compliance requirements: High-risk applications must meet specific transparency, traceability, and data governance requirements. This includes impact assessment and technical documentation.
• Monitoring and enforcement: National and European bodies will be established to monitor and enforce the law, providing guidance and applying sanctions in case of non-compliance.
• Citizen rights: Citizens are guaranteed the right to be informed about interaction with AI systems and not to be subjected to automated decisions without adequate human supervision.

The AI Law and the use of Nymiz

Nymiz is a tool that facilitates the anonymization of data, protecting the privacy of users in digital environments. In the context of the new AI Law, tools like Nymiz play a crucial role:

• Protection of personal data: Data anonymization is essential to meet privacy and data protection requirements, minimizing the risk of identification of individuals from large data sets.
• Transparency and trust: Using Nymiz can increase transparency and trust in AI systems by ensuring that personal data is handled responsibly and securely.
• Legal compliance: Nymiz helps organizations comply with AI Law by providing effective methods for data anonymization, which is an integral part of data management in high-risk AI applications.

Towards a safer and more equitable future

The adoption of the Artificial Intelligence Law by the EU Council represents a crucial step towards more ethical and secure regulation of AI. With its focus on risk classification, transparency, and rights protection, the law establishes a robust framework for the responsible development and use of AI. Tools like Nymiz complement these efforts by providing anonymization solutions that protect individuals' privacy and ensure legal compliance. As we move towards an increasingly digital future, the combination of clear regulations and innovative technologies will be key to ensuring that artificial intelligence benefits society safely and equitably.