Understanding the European AI Act

The European AI Act represents a pioneering legislative effort to regulate artificial intelligence by categorizing AI systems based on their risk levels: minimal, limited, high, and unacceptable. This risk-based framework ensures that high-risk applications, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare and transportation, undergo stringent assessments and continuous monitoring to safeguard safety and fundamental rights. At the same time, the Act encourages innovation by instituting regulatory sandboxes, which provide environments for developers to test new AI technologies while adhering to oversight. Such a structured approach seeks to balance the need for safety and ethical considerations with the promotion of technological advancement.