Key takeaways
- EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) is one of the most comprehensive sets of regulations for preventing AI misuse, such as AI-based harassment, discrimination, and manipulation.
- AI-based surveillance tools such as mobile CCTV cameras that use AI facial recognition are banned in most cases. The only exceptions are for severe security threats or judicial authorization.
- The AI laws, which are effective as of August 2nd, aim at protecting privacy and ensuring AI is used ethically. Violations can be punished by fines of up to 1.7% a company’s worldwide revenue.
In case you didn’t already know, AI can track your emotions through webcams and voice recognition systems, and it most probably does it without you realising it. Privacy? What’s that?
The EU has taken steps to ban such activities through its Artificial Intelligence Act to protect netizens from AI misuse. It’s among the first ones to establish a comprehensive set of AI rules against AI-based manipulation, harassment, and discrimination.
Websites will also be prohibited from using AI technologies to trick people into spending money. This is usually done through AI-driven patterns silently stuffed in services.
Simply put, they analyse your age, socio-economic conditions, and other factors to try and manipulate you into making financial commitments or purchase decisions.
Among other things, social scoring is also banned under the You have a documentSocial scoring is a method of evaluating a user’s internet activity, financial habits, race or other unrelated data. AI algorithms track the information, which can lead to discrimination and privacy breaches.
Employers using voice recognition and webcams for emotion tracking are one of the most common uses of emotion trackers.
As a result, the EU has banned the use of mobile cameras with AI-powered face recognition technology. Despite the fact that certain exceptions were granted, they are not without strict safeguards. The exceptions are only granted in cases of severe security threats, and require the prior approval of the government.
These policy are in effect from the 2nd Augustwhich gives countries time to adjust their AI use to conform to new guidelines. AI violations after the effective date will be punished with a fine that could range between 1.5 and 1.7 % the company’s worldwide revenue.
It is important to maintain a healthy balance to ensure global security. AI recently crossed a “red line,” and this should be a cause for concern, given that AI can go against the interests the human race if given too much power.
These European Union developments have drawn a clear line between AI systems used by humans to assist and those used for judging criminal risks or discrimination.
The United States has a lenient approach with light voluntary compliance polices that are more focused upon human rights. China has adopted a policy that focuses on social stability and government control in relation to AI use.
I’m glad to see that countries are becoming aware of the need for AI security by taking steps to achieve it. Some experts have pointed out, however, that AI is evolving so rapidly that by the time the policies are implemented, AI systems may already be updated in a way to bypass them. Add Techreport To Your Google News Feed.
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Vlad is Tech Report’s Executive Editor. With over a decade of experience in tech content, he’s passionate about computer hardware, an advocate of online privacy, and strongly believes in the open-source, scarce-money nature of cryptocurrency. When he’s not working, he’s traveling with his partner and their cat, learning Python, or reading good books. He never owned a PC he did not build.
Our editorial policy at Tech Report is to provide helpful, accurate content which offers real value to readers. We only work with writers who are experienced and have specific knowledge of the topics they cover. This includes the latest technology, online privacy issues, cryptocurrencies, software and more. Our editorial policy ensures each topic is researched by our in-house editors. We adhere to strict journalistic standards and all articles are written by real writers.
