In response to the recent advancements in technologies such as ChatGPT, Google’s Magi, and the integration of AI in various software applications, regulators have taken action.
Over the past two years, the European Union (EU) has been working on drafting rules to establish limits and provide guidance for the use of artificial intelligence. The European Parliament has now passed a draft law known as the AI Act. However, this is just the initial stage of a process that is expected to continue throughout the year.
The proposed rules cover various areas of AI application, including its use in bank lending, which is seen by some as the future of AI in lending, as discussed by a local software developer in Kenya. Monitoring the outcomes of these regulations will be crucial moving forward.
In addition to its wide-ranging scope, the draft rules address various aspects of daily life, including the hiring process, autonomous vehicles, and school selections.
Furthermore, the regulations tackle the use of artificial intelligence in law enforcement, court systems, and surveillance, aiming to strike a balance between practical applications and safeguarding fundamental rights.
The significance of the Draft AI Act extends beyond its immediate impact. As the pioneering regulation of AI, it is being closely observed worldwide. Lawmakers from Beijing to Washington are grappling with the challenges posed by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, and the EU’s regulation is likely to serve as a benchmark for similar discussions in different parliaments.
China, for instance, released draft rules aligned with its strict censorship policy in April. Meanwhile, the influence of the EU and the US on policymaking in Africa, as noted by Kenyan Lawyer Mugambi Laibuta, cannot be ignored.
Consequently, policymakers in Kenya and across the continent will closely monitor and take cues from this development in shaping their approaches to AI regulation.