The European Commission announced on Wednesday the creation of an AI office made up of experts responsible for implementing the European Union’s new, globally unprecedented legislation to regulate artificial intelligence.
Established within the European Commission in Brussels, this service will employ 140 technology specialists, lawyers and economists.
“Foster a European ecosystem”
“It will promote a European AI ecosystem that is innovative, competitive and respectful of EU standards and values,” said Digital Commissioner Thierry Breton.
Provided for by the regulation on AI definitively adopted on May 21 by the Twenty-Seven, the new service will play a key role in its implementation.
The stated objective is to promote innovation in Europe and at the same time build trust by limiting the risks of abuse.
This legislation will mainly apply from 2026. It adopts a “risk-based” approach and imposes restrictions on different artificial intelligence systems proportional to the dangers they pose to society.
AI systems that present only limited risk will be subject to very light transparency obligations, while high-risk systems, used for example in critical infrastructure, education, human resources or law enforcement, will be subject to strengthened requirements before be authorized in the EU.
Bans will be rare. These will be applications contrary to European values, such as citizen rating or the mass surveillance systems used in China.
Specific rules for generative AI
Specific standards will be applied to generative AI such as Open AI’s ChatGPT to ensure, in particular, the quality of the data used in the development of the algorithms and respect for copyright.
Artificially generated sounds, images and texts must be clearly identified as such to avoid opinion manipulation.
The AI office will in particular ensure the uniform application of regulations throughout the European Union, in collaboration with Member States. You will participate in investigations into possible violations and manage sanctions for violators.
It will also be responsible for identifying the risks of new technologies and supporting European research.
In a report published on Wednesday, the European Court of Auditors estimated that the EU has so far “failed to sufficiently boost investments in AI to be on par with global leaders in the sector.”
The European Commission “did not coordinate its measures well with those of Member States, and investments were not systematically monitored. Looking ahead, stronger governance and more important – and better targeted – public and private investment will be essential if “Europe wants to meet the AI challenge objectives,” the Court estimated.
Source: BFM TV
