EU AI Law Includes Ban on Use for Facial Recognition

The European Union has this week outlawed most uses of AI-driven facial recognition systems in public spaces. The ban is part of the Union's Artificial Intelligence Act, approved on Tuesday, which is being described as ' the world's first major regulation targeting AI'.

The legislation will make only a few exceptions, with AI-driven facial coding allowed for fighting serious crimes such as human trafficking or for anti-terrorism efforts, and then only under strict conditions. Analysis of emotions in workplaces and places of education is also included in the prohibition, as are biometric categorization systems based on sensitive characteristics. The EU says it wants AI systems to promote transparency, avoid discrimination, do no harm to the environment, and to be overseen / monitored by humans.

The first draft of the Act was published in 2021, and a provisional agreement on the terms were reached last December, with technical details and definitions taking longer to set out. New institutions will be set up to help administer the legislation, including an AI Office, attached to the European Commission and charged with co-ordinating efforts among member states.

Although the Act is due to come into force in June, companies will be given between one and three years to fall into line, meaning that fines - which will range from EUR 7m to EUR 35m or from 1.5% of annual global revenue to 7% - will not be appearing in the news for some time.

Web site: www.europa.eu .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.