As of August 1, 2024, the EU AI Act has officially come into effect, marking a significant milestone in the regulation of artificial intelligence across Europe. This landmark legislation, agreed upon by all 27 EU member states in December 2023, aims to ensure that AI systems are safe, transparent, and respect fundamental rights.
While the majority of the AI Act’s regulations will not come into force until August 2, 2026, its immediate implications are already being felt. The Act’s scope extends beyond the borders of the European Economic Area (EEA), impacting both providers and users of AI systems worldwide if their outputs are intended for use within the EEA. This means that Norwegian companies utilizing AI technologies developed outside the EEA will need to ensure compliance with these new standards if their systems are to be used within the EEA, as noted by digi.no.
For Norway, aligning with the EU’s AI Act is of particular importance due to our close economic relationship with the EU through the EEA Agreement. Norwegian businesses and governmental bodies will need to bolster their AI literacy, conduct thorough risk assessments, and adhere to stringent requirements for high-risk AI systems. Additionally, Norway will be required to designate national authorities to oversee the Act’s application, ensuring effective implementation and adherence.
The EU AI Act sets itself apart from the US’s more laissez-faire approach by establishing rigorous rules in the early stages of AI technology development. This proactive stance aims to manage emerging risks and shape a coherent international framework for AI regulation. Norwegian Minister of Digitalization, Karianne Tung (Labour Party), has pledged to expedite the implementation of the EU AI Act within Norway.
Our consortium in SFI MediaFutures with its national and international perspective is actively monitoring these developments and leveraging our research to develop solutions for the media industry. During our Annual Meeting 2023, we emphasized the importance of Generative AI and the EU AI Act, and we will continue to drive innovation-driven research in this area.
Additionally, the University of Bergen’s new Artificial Intelligence study program will play a pivotal role in educating the next generation of AI experts, further supporting our mission to harness these regulatory changes for comprehensive analysis and impactful research.
For a detailed overview of the EU AI Act and its implications, you can read the summary provided by MediaFutures partner Faktisk.no here: Faktisk.no Article.