January Issue
code4thought
Enhancing Quality & Security of Software and AI Systems: We make technology trusted and thoughtful
1. EU AI Act Phase 1: Banned AI Systems, AI Literacy, and What Comes Next
The first phase of the EU AI Act comes into force on February 2, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in AI regulation across the European market. This initial stage focuses on two key priorities:
1?. Banning AI Systems with “Unacceptable Risks”
AI models that pose a clear threat to fundamental rights will be strictly prohibited. These include systems that manipulate vulnerable groups, enable social scoring, or utilize biometric categorization in high-risk contexts.
Why this matters: These AI systems have been deemed too harmful to individuals and society, with risks of exploitation, discrimination, and large-scale surveillance. Their prohibition sets a global precedent for responsible AI governance.
What this means for businesses: Organizations must assess their AI systems, identify any models that fall under these categories, and remove or replace them to avoid regulatory repercussions. Failing to comply could lead to legal liabilities, reputational damage, and increased scrutiny in future regulatory phases.
2. Mandatory AI Literacy for Employees
Organizations deploying AI must ensure their workforce is equipped with the necessary knowledge to mitigate AI-related risks, such as bias, security vulnerabilities, and data breaches.
What this means for businesses: Companies should establish AI training programs for employees involved in AI deployment, ensuring they can identify and manage risks effectively. While there are no direct fines for non-compliance at this stage, a lack of AI literacy could lead to poor decision-making, regulatory violations, and increased penalties for AI-related infractions.
Why this matters: AI literacy ensures that organizations use AI responsibly and strategically, reducing the risks of bias, misinformation, and security flaws while strengthening compliance efforts.
Key Takeaways from SIG’s Expert Webinar
To help businesses navigate these new regulations, SIG recently hosted a webinar featuring expert insights from Yiannis Kanellopoulos (code4thought), Suzanne Galletly (EXIN), Jaap Vink (Interprovinciaal Overleg), and Joris Willems (NautaDutilh).
Discussions covered the ban on prohibited AI systems, the importance of AI literacy, compliance challenges, and practical strategies for organizations to prepare.
If you missed it, watch the full webinar recording here .
With stricter regulations on high-risk and general-purpose AI coming in 2025, 2026, and 2027, organizations that act now will be ahead of the curve.
What’s next??
The next phase in August 2025 will introduce requirements for general-purpose AI (GPAI), enforcement mechanisms, and penalties for non-compliance. This means companies must not only comply with existing rules but also start preparing for broader governance and
领英推荐
2. Your wish is our command, introducing Monthly Insider series on AI Quality Testing
AI quality testing has been a growing focus among industry experts, yet remains a complex and evolving field due to its relative novelty. As organizations navigate this uncharted territory, many are seeking insights and guidance from experienced professionals to establish best practices and ensure reliable AI implementation!
This is what our Monthly Insider is all about! In January we discussed the reason Advanced Quality Testing is Critical in AI Quality testing!
Ensuring AI reliability, fairness, and transparency is crucial as it becomes integral to industries like healthcare, finance, and autonomous driving. Unlike traditional software, AI's non-deterministic nature requires specialized testing strategies. Advanced AI quality testing goes beyond performance metrics, incorporating continuous monitoring, statistical analysis, and ethical considerations. Organizations must adopt a proactive approach, covering development, pre-deployment evaluations, and ongoing monitoring to mitigate risks like data drift, bias, and performance degradation.
?Investing in comprehensive AI quality testing isn’t just a technical necessity; it's a strategic imperative for businesses looking to harness AI’s full potential while mitigating risks.
Find out how advanced testing strategies can help ensure trustworthy and responsible AI in our recent blog post here
3. See you at Patras! ?? Driving Innovation in the Startup Ecosystem
Supporting young entrepreneurs and startups is central to our mission. Having been through the journey ourselves, we know the importance of mentorship in the early stages.
Join us for the panel discussion "From Patras to the Global Market" on Saturday, February 1st, from 13:20 to 13:50, where industry experts will share their insights on launching and scaling a startup from Patras. Our CEO, Yiannis Kanellopoulos, will join:
Yiannis Kostopoulos, Co-Founder & CEO of SaMMYacht
Nikos Fragoulis, CTO & Co-Founder of Irida Labs
Konstantinos Vaitsas, Director of Innovation at Deloitte
Key topics include overcoming local challenges, attracting talent, and expanding internationally. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights and network with industry leaders.?
If you hurry you can still book your slot here