European AI Regulations Now in Effect

New regulations in the Netherlands will prohibit certain AI practices starting this month. The goal is to ensure the ethical use of artificial intelligence, especially in high-risk sectors. Therefore, these new EU regulations can prevent the harmful use of AI technologies when they affect rights, fairness, and safety.

The main prohibitions are the use of AI for mass surveillance, discriminatory profiling, and social scoring systems that violate privacy and personal freedoms. Additionally, there are high-risk AI applications that harm decision-making and human behavior.

The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act agrees with these regulations, and therefore, it will ensure that the Netherlands is at the forefront of AI governance in Europe. The goal is to ensure that AI serves the public good, protects citizens, and fosters innovation while preventing misuse.

Key Prohibited AI Practices:

1. Social Scoring Systems: AI applications that score individuals based on behavior or social criteria, which could lead to unfair treatment or discrimination.
2. Mass Surveillance: The use of AI for continuous, large-scale monitoring of individuals, such as facial recognition in public spaces without proper safeguards.
3. Discriminatory Profiling: AI algorithms that reinforce or amplify biases, particularly in sectors like hiring, law enforcement, and lending.
4. Manipulation of Human Behavior: AI systems designed to unduly influence people's actions, such as through targeted political ads or manipulation of consumer choices.

These prohibitions are intended to balance AI's opportunities with the need for transparency, fairness, and accountability. They will contribute to building trust in AI systems, ensuring that the technology benefits society without compromising fundamental rights.

The new regulations are expected to affect public and private entities, with particular attention given to developers and organisations deploying high-risk AI systems. Compliance with these rules will be essential, and entities will need to adapt their practices to meet the new standards.

With these upcoming prohibitions, the Netherlands is aiming to become a global leader in AI regulation, ensuring a future where AI serves as a force for good, rather than a tool for harm.

Source (in Dutch): Digitale Overheid

Photo credits: iStock/PUGUN SJ