Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence and amending certain regulations (‘the AI Act’) entered into force on 1 August 2024. The AI Act lays down harmonised rules for the placing on the market, putting into service, and use of artificial intelligence (‘AI’) in the Union. Its aim is to promote innovation in and the uptake of AI, while ensuring a high level of protection of health, safety and fundamental rights in the Union, including democracy and the rule of law.
The AI Act follows a risk-based approach, classifying AI systems into four different risk categories:
- Unacceptable risk: AI systems posing unacceptable risks to fundamental rights and Union values are prohibited under Article 5 AI Act.
- High risk: AI systems posing high risks to health, safety and fundamental rights are subject to a set of requirements and obligations. These systems are classified as ‘high-risk’ in accordance with Article 6 AI Act in conjunction with Annexes I and III AI Act.
- Transparency risk: AI systems posing limited transparency risk are subject to transparency obligations under Article 50 AI Act.
- Minimal to no risk: AI systems posing minimal to no risk are not regulated, but providers and deployers may voluntarily adhere to voluntary codes of conduct.