The EU AI Act doesn't just regulate; it sets clear boundaries for what's considered unacceptable use of AI Systems.
This blog dives into the prohibited use of AI outlined in the Act, ensuring you steer clear of any ethical and regulatory red flags.
The Forbidden Zone: What's Off-Limits?
The AI Act identifies several AI applications deemed so harmful to fundamental rights and societal values that they are completely banned:
Social Scoring: Classifying individuals based on their social behaviour, socio-economic status, or personal characteristics to assign rewards or punishments is strictly prohibited. This protects against discrimination and the creation of dystopian "score-based" societies.
Biometric categorisation systems that use sensitive attributes (sex, age, hair colour, eye colour, tattoos, behavioural or personality traits, language, race, political opinions, trade union membership, religious or philosophical beliefs, or sexual orientation). Exemptions to this include Systems that use biometric categorisation as purely an ancillary function (e.g. selling a product by allowing the consumer to preview the display of the product on him or herself as part of the process)
Real-time Remote Biometric Identification: Imagine being constantly scanned in public spaces! The AI Act prohibits such systems, protecting privacy and preventing mass surveillance. There are exceptions here, but they are strictly limited to specific situations like missing child cases or serious crimes. This category also does not include AI systems intended to be used for biometric verification, such as user authentication to unlock a device or grant security access to a premises.
Untargeted Scraping of Facial Images: Harvesting personal data without consent is a privacy violation. The Act prohibits creating facial recognition databases by scraping images from the internet or CCTV footage, protecting individuals from unauthorized surveillance.
Subliminal Techniques: Manipulating people's behaviour without their knowledge is a big no-no. This includes AI that exploits vulnerabilities or alters perceptions in ways that harm individuals or their decision-making.
Exploiting vulnerabilities related to age, disability, or socio-economic circumstances to distort behaviour, causing significant harm.
Emotion Recognition in the Workplace and Education: Judging people based on their perceived emotions can be biased and unfair. The Act bans AI solely used for this purpose in these sensitive settings, safeguarding individual autonomy and preventing discrimination.
Why These Bans Matter:
These prohibited uses represent the EU's commitment to ethical AI development. They address concerns about:
Data privacy and individual rights: The Act ensures personal data is used responsibly and that individuals have control over their information.
Non-discrimination and fairness: Algorithms must be designed and used in ways that avoid bias and discrimination against any group.
Human autonomy and free will: People should not be manipulated or controlled by AI systems without their knowledge and consent.
Avoiding the Red Flags:
By understanding these prohibited uses, you can ensure your AI development and deployment adheres to the Act's ethical principles. Here's how:
Conduct thorough ethical impact assessments: Evaluate the potential impact of your AI system on individuals and society.
Prioritize transparency and explainability: Ensure your AI systems are understandable and don't exploit user vulnerabilities.
Respect data privacy and user consent: Obtain informed consent for data collection and use, and ensure data is secure and protected.
Avoid discriminatory practices: Design and train your AI systems to be fair and unbiased.
Remember: Compliance isn't just about avoiding penalties; it's about building trust and contributing to a responsible AI future. By steering clear of prohibited uses, you can demonstrate your commitment to ethical AI and unlock the full potential of this transformative technology.
Next Up:
Blog 3: High-Risk AI: Taming the Power: Dive deep into the stringent requirements for high-risk AI systems, from data governance to transparency and human oversight.
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Throughout this journey, remember: compliance doesn't have to be a burden. By understanding the AI Act and implementing its principles, you can harness the immense potential of AI while fostering trust and ensuring responsible innovation.
If you need help with understanding AI Compliance in your Business, or with anything at all to do with your IT Organisation, reach out to us here at CB Navigate.
What are your thoughts? We'd love to hear your feedback, or if you'd like to discuss this topic and others with us in more detail, please reach out to us info@cbnavigate.com
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