Have you already used the famous ChatGPT for work or to look up information for personal reasons? If you have, you\u2019ll have noticed that its speed and efficiency are as fascinating as they are unsettling. If, whilst still in its \u2018infancy\u2019, this technology is capable of producing such results, just imagine what it will be like in a few years\u2019 time, when a single tool will be able to do all the work and the market will become a \u2018red ocean\u2019 full of sharks competing for the AI oligopoly.<\/p>
To curb this almost apocalyptic situation that is looming, and bearing in mind the associated problems that are arising in relation to privacy, data and the loss of many existing jobs, the EU has drawn up a draft law to regulate the development of AI.<\/p>
Before delving into the underlying principles and reasons behind this proposed legislation, it is important that we first clarify the difference between conventional artificial intelligence and generative artificial intelligence, as it is the latter that has sparked the controversy.<\/p>
The artificial intelligence<\/a> focuses on the analysis and interpretation of data, whilst generative artificial intelligence can create original and unique content from scratch. The fact that this technology has burst onto the scene with its creative dimension represents a truly unexpected breakthrough, but also a threat, since, until now, we all felt safer behind the barrier that human creativity placed between technology and people. Well, that barrier no longer exists.<\/p> To shed light on this uncertainty that has spread amongst businesses and users worldwide, the European Union aims to protect its members from data theft and online privacy breaches through the new Artificial Intelligence Act. Would you like to know what it involves? We\u2019ll explain it to you step by step below!<\/p> The priority of this law is to ensure that AI systems used within the EU are safe, traceable, transparent and inclusive. To this end, AI systems are analysed and classified according to the risk they pose to users, and for the different levels of risk, regulations of varying degrees of flexibility will be developed, categorising them as: unacceptable risk, high risk, generative AI and limited risk. Once approved, these will be the world\u2019s first regulations on AI, so let\u2019s take a look at what each category entails.<\/p> Unacceptable risk<\/strong>: AI systems posing an unacceptable risk are considered a direct threat to individuals and will be banned if they involve: cognitive manipulation of the behaviour of vulnerable individuals or groups; and the classification of individuals based on their behaviour, status or personal characteristics. This also includes real-time biometric identification systems.<\/p> High risk<\/strong>: these are all AI systems that infringe fundamental rights, and they are divided into two groups: those AI systems used in products subject to EU product safety legislation<\/strong> and the AI systems in the following eight areas<\/strong>, which must be recorded in a database:<\/p> Generative AI<\/strong>: Generative AI systems will be permitted to continue operating provided they meet the following requirements:<\/p> Limited risk<\/strong>: these are the ones that meet certain minimum requirements, and users will always be fully informed. For example, they must be informed if the content they are viewing is a deepfake or has been manipulated.<\/p> Case law on artificial intelligence may vary from country to country, but there are nevertheless certain prohibited practices that are common to all legal systems, such as the following:<\/p> Unfair discrimination<\/strong>: The law may prohibit the use of artificial intelligence algorithms that perpetuate discrimination based on characteristics such as race, gender, religion or sexual orientation. This includes automated decisions in areas such as recruitment, credit and the criminal justice system.<\/p> Mass surveillance without consent<\/strong>: the law may impose restrictions on the use of technologies<\/a> the use of artificial intelligence for the mass surveillance of individuals without their consent. This includes the recording or tracking of individuals without a sound legal basis or without adequate safeguards to protect their privacy.<\/p>Artificial Intelligence Act: different rules for each risk level<\/h2>
What are the different types of AI risks covered by the new Artificial Intelligence Act?<\/h3>
Certain practices prohibited under the Artificial Intelligence Act<\/h3>