Reflections on the EU’s AI Act and How We Could Make It Even Better

Jurisdictions around the world are preparing regulations for artificial intelligence, as investments in AI technologies continue to increase as a source of efficiency and innovation for companies and governments. One of the most influential regulative proposals for AI is that proposed by the European Commission in April 2021, the “AI Act.” The EU’s proposed regulation has already inspired some international regulative proposals and is likely to broadly impact AI policies around the world. Yet the Act is still in process, it’s strengths could be compromised, or it’s weaknesses addressed.  In this piece, we analyze the core policy concepts of the AI Act, with focus both on those worth amending and defending. These discussions may provide valuable elements for other regions beyond the EU to consider for their own AI policy. While the AI Act could still be improved to make it even more robust in managing AI-related risks to health, safety, and fundamental rights, and to increase incentives to industry to take actions beneficial to both itself and others, overall we applaud this act.

By Meeri Haataja & Joanna J. Bryson^[1]

The EU’s proposed regulation for artificial intelligence, published in April 2021 and known as the “AI Act,”^[2] is probably the most influential AI-focused policy paper published to date. Reflecting an extensive process, and part of an impressive suite of innovative legislation aimed at addressing the challenges