The European Union's groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) officially came into force, marking a significant step towards regulating the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.

Aimed at fostering responsible AI development and deployment, the Act establishes a comprehensive framework to address potential risks to citizens' safety and fundamental rights.

The legislation categorizes AI systems based on their level of risk, imposing stricter regulations on high-risk applications such as those used in healthcare and recruitment.

While most AI systems will face minimal regulation, the Act mandates transparency for AI-powered chatbots and requires clear labeling of AI-generated content. On the other hand, AI systems deemed to pose an unacceptable risk, like social scoring, are outright banned.

The EU is also launching a consultation on a Code of Practice for providers of general-purpose AI models to address issues like transparency, copyright, and risk management.

With this legislation, the EU aims to position itself as a global leader in safe and trustworthy AI, boosting innovation while protecting citizens' interests. (ILKHA)