The European Union has created a new dedicated department to oversee the implementation of a groundbreaking AI law that is considered one of the most comprehensive AI regulations in the world. The new initiative will take a risk-based approach and impose stricter regulations on high-risk AI applications to ensure their safe and ethical deployment.
The office's main goal is to foster the “future development, deployment and use” of AI technologies, harnessing their societal and economic benefits while mitigating the associated risks. With a focus on innovation and safety, the office aims to position the EU as a global leader in AI regulation and development.
According to EU Competition Commissioner Margerthe Feltager, the new office will have a “key role” in enforcing AI law, particularly with regard to general AI models. “Together with developers and the scientific community, the office will assess and test general AI to ensure that it serves humanity and safeguards European values,” Feltager said.
Welcoming the establishment of the AI Office, Sridhar Iyengar, Managing Director, Zoho Europe, said, “The establishment of the AI Office at the European Commission to play a key role in implementing EU AI law is a welcome sign of progress and it is encouraging to see the EU position itself as a global leader on AI regulation. We look forward to bringing together governments, business, academia, and industry experts to guide the safe use of AI to power business growth.”
Iyengar highlighted the dual impact of AI on business, pointing out both benefits and concerns. He stressed the importance of adhering to best practice guidance and regulations to ensure safe and ethical AI adoption.
“AI is driving innovation in business tools to improve fraud detection, predictions, customer data analytics and more. These benefits not only have the potential to improve customer experience, but they can also increase efficiencies, surface insights and suggest actions that lead to greater success,” Iyengar said.
The office will be staffed with more than 140 staff members, including technical experts, administrative assistants, lawyers, policy experts and economists. The office will be organized into different units focused on regulation and compliance, safety and innovation, reflecting the multifaceted approach needed to effectively govern AI.
Rachel Hayes, transformation director at Defina, an IN Group company, commented: “The establishment of a dedicated AI office within the European Commission underlines the EU's commitment to both innovation and regulation, which will undoubtedly be crucial in the rapidly evolving AI environment.”
Hayes also pointed to the initiative's potential to upskill employees, pointing to Technology and the Board survey results that found more than half of board leaders see AI as the biggest immediate threat to their companies.
“This initiative directly addresses these fears by giving employees across sectors the opportunity to adapt and thrive in an AI-driven world. The AI Office offers promising hope and guidance for generating economic benefits while mitigating the risks associated with AI technology, and it's one we should all get behind,” she added.
As the EU takes these steps towards comprehensive AI governance, the Agency's work will be crucial in driving both innovation and safety in the sector.
(Photo: Sarah Kulfes)
reference: Elon Musk's xAI secures $6 billion to challenge OpenAI in AI race
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