WORLD’S FIRST ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LAW

On March 13, 2024, the European Parliament made a big decision to approve a new set of rules called the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, or AI Act for short. This was a significant moment because it's the first time a law like this, which applies to all different kinds of artificial intelligence (AI), has been created anywhere in the world.

This law is like a set of rules to make sure AI technologies are safe and fair for everyone.

What is AI? ??

First, let's understand what AI is. Imagine a robot or computer program that can think, learn, and make decisions like a human. For example, when you talk to Siri or Alexa, you're interacting with AI. These technologies can do amazing things, from helping doctors diagnose diseases faster to making cars that can drive themselves.

Why Do We Need Rules for AI? ??

While AI can do great things, it can also cause problems if not used carefully. For instance, a technology called "deepfake" can make videos that look real but are completely fake. This could be used to create a video of a famous person saying something they never actually said, which could cause confusion or harm their reputation.

The EU AI Act:?

?No-Go Zones ?????

The Act identifies certain uses of AI as off-limits, considering them too harmful to be allowed. For example:

• Manipulative AI: Technologies that could manipulate people into making decisions against their best interests, such as an app that uses hidden messages to encourage children to purchase items without realizing it, are banned.
• Discriminatory AI: Systems that could discriminate against individuals or groups, like an AI hiring tool that unfairly favors candidates from a particular ethnic background, are not permitted.

High-Risk AI ??

Certain AI applications are labeled as "high-risk" because they have a significant impact on people's lives. These include:

• Healthcare: AI used to diagnose diseases must be highly accurate to avoid misdiagnoses.
• Transportation: Self-driving cars, for instance, must be rigorously tested to ensure they can safely navigate traffic without endangering lives.
• Law Enforcement: AI tools used in policing, such as facial recognition technologies, must be carefully regulated to prevent misuse.

Transparency: ??

AI systems, especially those like ChatGPT that can write articles or create content, must be clear about being AI-generated. This is to prevent confusion about whether a piece of information was created by a human or a machine.

?For instance, if an AI creates a news article, it should be labeled so people know it's AI-generated.This helps maintain trust and accountability in the information and content we consume.

Supporting Innovation ??

The AI Act is designed to help new and small businesses grow and innovate with artificial intelligence (AI). Here's how it plans to do that:

• Regulatory Sandboxes: Think of these as special playgrounds for companies to try out their new AI ideas. In these sandboxes, they don't have to worry as much about all the usual rules. This means they can focus on making their AI better and more useful before they share it with everyone else.
• Guidance and Financial Support: The Act also promises to help these smaller companies by giving them advice and money support. This is to make sure they understand how to follow the new AI rules and to encourage them to come up with new and exciting AI projects.

What Happens Next? ??

????After the AI Act becomes a law, here's what will happen next:

• Immediate Bans: Right away, within six months, some uses of AI that are considered really harmful will be completely banned. This is to quickly protect people from the biggest risks of AI.
• Step-by-Step Introduction: The other rules of the Act, especially those about AI that could have a big impact on people's lives, will be introduced slowly over time. This gives companies a chance to understand the new rules better and make sure their AI fits within them.

Enforcement and Penalties ??

If companies don't follow the AI Act rules, they could have to pay big fines. The amount of the fine depends on what rule was broken and how big the company is. The fines can be as much as €7.5 million or 1% of the company's total worldwide sales, and for more serious mistakes, up to €35 million or 7% of their total sales.

The rules of the AI Act will mostly be checked by authorities in each EU country. However, for some general AI technologies, a special group called the European AI Office will be in charge of making sure the rules are followed.

Timeline for Implementation ?

The AI Act will be implemented in stages:

• Starting Point: The AI Act will officially start 20 days after the rules are written down in the EU's official book of laws.
• Immediate Bans: Six months after the Act starts, some really risky uses of AI will be completely banned.
• High-Risk AI Rules: Two years after the Act starts, there will be strict rules for AI that could be dangerous or have a big effect on people's lives.
• General AI Rules: One year after the Act starts, there will be rules for AI that can do lots of different things, not just one specific task.
• Everything in Place: Within three years after the Act starts, all the rules will be in full effect. This means every part of the AI Act has to be followed.

This AI Act is a significant step towards ensuring AI benefits us all safely and fairly. Let's embrace this new era of technology together! ??

Content Research Credits : Prabir Kumar Satapathy