In April this year, the European Commission proposed the Artificial Intelligence Act, which aims to regulate the use of AI-driven products, services and systems within the EU. But the market-driven draft legislation, aimed at creating and developing a competitive European AI sector, failed to meet the expectations of civil society, which had been hoping that the act would prioritise the protection of people.
The EU Council presidency also criticised the text, pitching substantial changes to the proposal and suggesting, in particular, further restrictions on the possible use of a ‘social credit system’ and facial recognition technology. Critical negotiations are ongoing, but there is no guarantee that they will result in the draft law becoming more protective of individuals.
Employment and workers’ rights are particular areas of concern in the context of the AI Act, and measures must be taken to ensure that workers are protected.
