AI Act deal: Key safeguards and dangerous loopholes

Dec 12, 2023 ·

AI Act: Key Safeguards and Dangerous Loopholes is an article by Algorithm Watch that looks at how current legislation in Europe allows AI to be used with little oversight or regulation. It covers the need for robust safeguards, accountability measures, and transparency of AI systems, as well as how existing loopholes can be exploited.

The article argues that the European Union's recently enacted AI Act does not go far enough to protect citizens from potential risks associated with AI technology. The Act focuses on ensuring safeguards and transparency, but fails to adequately address the accountability of developers or the rights of people affected by AI decisions. Additionally, it does not impose any meaningful requirements for data protection or user consent.

The article also highlights dangerous loopholes that could be exploited. For example, the AI Act does not require developers to prove that their system works as expected, meaning that flawed algorithms could continue to operate without consequences. Moreover, certain exemptions allow certain types of AI applications to forego ethical assessment altogether, which potentially exposes vulnerable populations to unfair discrimination.

The article advocates for greater legal oversight and regulation of AI systems. While the EU has taken a step in the right direction with the AI Act, further action is needed to ensure that citizens are protected from potential harms. This includes introducing measures such as data protection standards, user consent requirements, accountability frameworks, and robust ethical assessments. Moreover, it is critical that the AI industry is held to higher standards than traditional technologies, given the potential for misuse and abuse of AI.