ECJ - New EU Act aims to keep AI safe

Europe director Max von Thun is quoted praising the AI Act's intent while arguing that it fails to tackle AI's role in reinforcing Big Tech's dominance over society and democracy.

The world’s first major Act to regulate artificial intelligence passed into law across the European Union in August. It aims to ensure the technology is safe and respects the bloc’s “fundamental rights and values”. Hartley Milner explores how the legislation will impact businesses.

“AS THE MEMORY of past misfortunes pressed upon me, I began to reflect upon their cause … the monster whom I had created, the miserable daemon whom I had sent abroad into the world.”
Could Victor Frankenstein’s remorseful words turn out to be frighteningly prescient as we lurch towards an uncertain future under artificial intelligence? Will science fiction morph inexorably into science fact? Has humanity unleashed a monster that will eventually turn on its creator?

The meteoric rise of AI has sparked countless dystopian scenarios amid deep concerns that the race to develop evermore advanced systems is out of control. Even many of the biggest names in tech remain fearful. In an open letter, the likes of billionaire mogul Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak called for a pause in the development of the most advanced AI models to allow time to make sure they are safe.

“AI systems with human-competitive intelligence can pose profound risks to society and humanity,” the 1,000-plus signees warned. “Powerful AI systems should be developed only once we are confident their effects will be positive and their risks will be manageable.” The letter was prompted by the release of GPT-4 from Microsoft-backed OpenAI, whose founder, Sam Altman, suggested himself that “at some point it may be important to get an independent review before starting to train future systems”.

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