On August 1, 2024, the EU AI Act (EU 2024/1689) came into force. The obligations under the EU AI Act will be applied gradually starting from February 2025. The aim of the AI Act is to ensure that AI systems entering the market or being used are safe, transparent, and respect fundamental rights.

Key Obligations of the EU AI Act Effective from February 2025

From February 2025, certain obligations under the EU AI Act have come into effect. Employers must consider the obligations related to prohibited AI practices and AI literacy.

Certain AI systems that manipulate or exploit human vulnerabilities are banned. This includes social scoring systems that evaluate people’s trustworthiness or behavior, and emotion recognition systems used in workplaces. These systems are considered too risky and can lead to discrimination or unfair treatment.

Employers must ensure that their staff have sufficient AI literacy. This means that employees must understand the capabilities and risks of AI systems and be able to use them safely and ethically. Employers must provide training and guidance to help employees develop these skills. The AI literacy requirement applies to employees who use AI in their work.

How to Prepare for the Obligations of the EU AI Act

It is crucial for companies to prepare for the implementation of the EU AI Act to comply with the new regulations and use AI responsibly. Here are some key steps companies should take:

• Identify the AI systems in use and assess their risk category (prohibited, high risk, limited risk, minimal risk).
• Ensure that prohibited systems are removed from use. Alternatively, evaluate if their use is possible under a safety exception.
• Train staff on the use, operation, and risks of AI systems. This helps ensure that employees understand the opportunities and risks of AI and can use the systems safely.
• Provide ongoing training and resources to maintain and develop AI literacy.

The measures related to the AI Act are part of a broader effort to create a safe and responsible AI environment. It is important for employers and other stakeholders to prepare for these changes and ensure that their AI systems and practices comply with the regulation.

Lexia is here to help you and your company prepare for the AI Act, comply with the new regulations, and use AI responsibly. Please contact our experts if we can offer our expertise!

Counsel Erika Leinonen, email: [email protected], tel: +358 45 7820 0310

Senior Associate Marko Moilanen, email: [email protected], tel: +358 40 517 0002