The European Union is now in the spotlight bold move to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
In a groundbreaking decision, the EU has banned the public use of biometric surveillance, including facial recognition and predictive policing, effectively setting a new standard for AI regulations worldwide.
Reuters reports that this historic development came after Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted on May 11 to include these bans in the upcoming AI Act.
Negotiations for the AI Act have been ongoing for the past two years, making it one of the first legislative attempts to regulate the use and development of AI.
The timing of this decision could not be more critical. AI tools and applications are becoming increasingly available and widely used across various industries, making it crucial to have strict regulations in place to ensure that these technologies are used ethically and responsibly.
EU Concerned About Misuse of Biometric Surveillance
In a landmark move towards regulating biometric surveillance technology, the European Parliament recently passed legislation to protect fundamental rights.
MEP Kim van Sparrentak highlighted the importance of prioritizing fundamental rights in creating such regulations. She emphasized that AI should serve the interests of people, society, and the environment, not the other way around.
Cointelegraph tells us that the legislation also includes new transparency measures aimed at governing the use of generative AI tools. These measures propose that AI tools must be classified according to their perceived risk level, ranging from low to unacceptable.
This classification system aims to ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically, with a focus on protecting the interests of individuals and society as a whole.
Predictive Policing
The use of facial recognition technology has been a controversial topic, with concerns raised over privacy, data protection, and the potential for misuse by law enforcement agencies.
Predictive policing, which involves using data to predict crime, has also come under scrutiny for its potential for bias and inaccuracies.
Back in October 2022, the United Kingdom's information rights authority raised concerns about AI and biometric technology, citing bias, privacy, and mass spying.
The inability of algorithms that have not been sufficiently developed to detect emotional cues, according to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), creates a risk of systemic bias, inaccuracy, and even discrimination.
The EU's decision to ban these technologies is a significant step towards creating a responsible and ethical approach to AI. It is hoped that other countries will follow suit and create their own regulations to ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically.
Lawmakers worldwide are paying attention to the AI boom and considering how to regulate the technology. The United Kingdom, the United States, and China have all voiced the need for regulations.
Recently, US Vice President Kamala Harris met with the CEOs of four major tech companies involved in artificial intelligence to discuss the potential of AI and the risks it poses.
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