You may have heard me banging on about Artificial Intelligence recently. It's a rapidly growing sector that has the potential to revolutionise our world. But with this growth comes concerns about bias, privacy, and even the future of humanity ...
I'm not a fan of the EU, but with the AI Act, they are leading the way in this important endeavour.!
That's why the recent approval of the world's first AI law by the European Parliament is such a significant development. The AI Act, as it's called, is a comprehensive framework that aims to regulate the risks associated with AI.
"It works by classifying AI products according to their level of risk!"
It then adjusts the level of scrutiny applied to it. This means that high-risk AI, such as self-driving cars or facial recognition technology, will face stricter regulations than low-risk AI, like chatbots or virtual assistants.
One of the key goals of the AI Act is to make Artificial Intelligence more human-centric. This means that the technology should be developed and used in a way that benefits society as a whole, rather than just focusing on profit.
This is a crucial step towards addressing concerns about bias and discrimination in AI, as well as ensuring that the technology serves the greater good. But what exactly does the AI Act cover?
It includes rules on transparency, data protection, and human oversight. This means that companies developing AI must be transparent about how their technology works and how it makes decisions.
They must also protect personal data and give individuals the right to access and correct any data used by AI. Additionally, human oversight must be in place to ensure that AI is not making decisions without human intervention.
The AI Act also imposes strict penalties for non-compliance, with fines of up to €30 million or 6% of a company's global turnover, whichever is higher. This is a clear message that the EU is taking the regulation of AI seriously and is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to the rules.
"But the AI Act is not just about regulating the risks of AI!"
It also aims to promote innovation and competitiveness within the EU. By setting a clear framework for AI, the EU hopes to attract investment and foster the development of cutting-edge technology within its borders. This could lead to the creation of new jobs and opportunities within the EU, making it a global leader in AI.
The AI Act also places the EU at the forefront of global attempts to regulate AI. While China has introduced its own patchwork of AI laws, and the US has yet to pass any comprehensive legislation (the UK is 'working on it' according to the Government), the EU's AI Act sets a precedent for other countries to follow. This could lead to a more harmonised approach to regulating AI on a global scale, which is crucial in today's interconnected world.
"Of course, the AI Act is not without its critics!"
Some argue that it is too restrictive and could stifle innovation. Others believe that it doesn't go far enough in addressing the risks associated with AI. And there are concerns that the EU's approach to regulating AI could put it at a disadvantage compared to other countries with less strict regulations.
But overall, the approval of the AI Act is a major step towards responsible and ethical development and use of AI. It sets a precedent for other countries to follow and shows the EU's commitment to regulating technology in a way that benefits society as a whole.
I agree that it's crucial to have clear rules and regulations in place to ensure that Artificial Intelligence is used for the greater good. I'm not a fan of the EU, but with the AI Act, they are leading the way in this important endeavour.
I'm sure the UK will be creating its own AI Act soon.
If anything I've written in this blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more of my thoughts around AI law and regulation, do give me a call on 07490 373980 and let's see how I can help you.
Based in the charming village of Hanslope in Buckinghamshire, UK, I bring over 30 years of experience in web development. From creating my first website for the Open University in 1993, through being part of the dot com boom, to my explorations in SaaS and AI over the last few years, my journey has been a rich tapestry of web projects, big and small, both funded and bootstrapped.
Originally developed during the pandemic, at the start of 2025, I released the next iteration of YourPCM, version 2, which is all about 'Easy Contact Management for Small Business Owners'. Is it a CRM? Yes, but I don't call it that because people glaze over at the mention of such things. CRMs are boring, difficult to get to grips with, and it's a nightmare to get help when you need it.
YourPCM is none of those things! It's simple to use, well-supported, feature rich and beautiful, right out of the box. It's available on a simple monthly subscription with no long-term tie-in. Book a demo or grab your own 14-working-day free trial and discover why YourPCM is all about easy contact management for small business owners.
My head is in the cloud, my heart belongs to the web, and my soul is filled with such beautiful code 💗
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