The European Union’s (EU) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, introduced in 2021, has gained international attention as an important part of the global effort to regulate and standardize the use of artificial intelligence. With this act, the EU aims to promote a human-centered understanding of technology at the international level by prioritizing ethics, security and human rights in the development and application of AI technologies. The EU is pursuing a strategy of using its regulatory framework as an effective tool not only in the internal market but also in the global technology market.
Accordingly, Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies (ANKASAM) presents below the views of Dr. Afaq Ahmad, a faculty member from the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Humanities, Woxsen University, in order to evaluate the global effects of the Artificial Intelligence Act.
Structure and Scope of the Act
The AI Act categorizes artificial intelligence systems into four different risk categories and sets regulatory measures according to their potential risks. While systems with unacceptable risks will be banned altogether, high-risk systems will be subject to stricter regulatory and compliance processes, especially in critical sectors such as health, transportation and security. For example, a high-risk application such as biometric surveillance systems can only be used under strict regulatory control and will be continuously audited. Lighter regulations are expected for limited and minimal risk systems.
These regulations aim to minimize the potential impact of AI technologies on people’s fundamental rights, safety and societal values. This demonstrates the EU’s aim to promote a global standard in AI technologies, prioritizing not only innovation but also ethical responsibility.
Compliance and Penal Sanctions
The AI Act includes not only regulation but also strict compliance and enforcement mechanisms. Penalties of up to 6% of annual global turnover or up to 30 million euros are foreseen for violations of the act. This creates a strong incentive for companies operating under the act to comply with the standards set by the EU. International technology firms in particular must comply with these regulations in order to survive in the EU market.
Global Impacts
The global implications of the EU’s AI Act will be quite profound given the EU’s far-reaching influence in the economy and technology. In particular, the fact that large international technology firms will have to comply with these standards in order to maintain access to the European market will create regulatory leverage on a global scale. For example, technology giants based in China and the United States (US) are likely to restructure their AI products for Europe to comply with these standards. In the long run, this could encourage the adoption of similar regulations around the world.
Technological Innovation and Ethical AI
The AI Act not only introduces regulations but also acts as a catalyst for developing ethical AI. The Act focuses on algorithmic transparency, the explainability of AI systems and the reduction of bias. These factors will increase the trustworthiness of AI systems, while at the same time encouraging new technological developments in this field. These ethical approaches, especially those promoted by the EU, could put pressure on other global actors and lead to new standards in AI development.
However, the AI Act also provides an opportunity for international cooperation and partnerships. Developing EU-compliant technologies could lead to greater cooperation in AI research and development projects around the world. This has the potential to accelerate the development of AI technologies on a global scale, while consolidating the EU’s leadership in the AI field.
Geopolitical Dynamics and Technological Competition
The impact of the AI Act on the global race for technological leadership is even more striking in a geopolitical context. Technological alliances and geopolitical relations may be reshaped by the changes brought by this regulation. Especially countries, may have to adapt to the standards of the AI Act in order to cooperate more closely with the EU. This may lead to the formation of new alliances and the transformation of existing relationships in the technology sector. The AI Act’s standards will affect not only the EU and its neighboring countries, but also global technological powers such as China and the US.
Conclusion: Setting the Global Standard
In conclusion, the European Union’s AI Act is an important milestone in standardizing and regulating the use of AI on a global scale. It will shape the development of AI, not only within the EU but also internationally. Its impact in the race for global technological leadership will depend on how other major actors respond to these regulatory developments and how international cooperation progresses. In particular, the EU’s ethical and human-centered approach to AI governance could allow it to play a leading role in this race.
