May 2023

Draft for Conducting Independent Audits under the Digital Services Act Released for Public Comment

The European Commission released a draft for conducting audits under the Digital Services Act (DSA) on May 6, 2023, which pertains to the 17 Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and 2 Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Bing, and Google). The purpose of this delegated regulation is to promote transparency and public accountability for large platforms, with provisions for annual independent audits. Algorithmic systems will be audited and will include disclosures and risk assessments. The draft clarifies the relationship between Audited Providers and Auditing Organizations, and lays down provisions for selecting auditors, data sharing, and cooperation. Auditing Organisations will send Final Reports, including Risk Analyses and Audit Conclusions, and must be completed within a year from the date of application of the obligations to the Audited Provider. The draft is open for public comments until June 2, 2023. The article promotes Holistic AI's interdisciplinary approach for AI governance, risk, and compliance.

March 2023

The UK Government Publishes a Pro-Innovation Approach to AI Regulation

The UK Government has published a White Paper outlining a regulatory framework for AI, based on five key principles of safety, transparency, fairness, accountability and contestability. The approach seeks to promote responsible innovation and maintain public trust. The White Paper establishes a multi-regulator sandbox and recommends practical guidance to help businesses put these principles into practice.

AI Regulation Around the World: Spain

Spain is actively regulating AI through various initiatives, including launching the first regulatory sandbox for the EU AI Act to create a controlled environment for experimenting with AI obligations, publishing a National AI Strategy, establishing Europe's first AI Supervisory Agency, and passing a Rider Law to give delivery riders employment rights. The Spanish government is investing in these regulatory efforts and has set specific objectives to reduce social inequality and promote innovation while protecting individual and collective rights. These regulations aim to increase transparency and accountability for algorithmic systems and ensure compliance with upcoming AI legislation.

February 2023

AI Regulation Around the World: The Netherlands

The Dutch government is increasing oversight on AI systems following a scandal involving a biased algorithm used by their tax office. The government is committed to a new statutory regime that ensures AI systems are checked for transparency and discrimination, and the data protection regulator will receive extra funding for algorithm oversight. The Dutch government wants more transparency about AI systems deployed in the public sector and is proposing a legal requirement to use an assessment framework, a register of high-risk AI systems, and specific measures for human oversight and non-discrimination. The proposals currently apply to the public sector but will likely impact businesses supplying AI systems to the public sector and create greater public awareness of the use of AI systems.

December 2022

EU AI Act: Summary of Updates on Final Compromise Text

The EU ministers have greenlit the adoption of a general approach to the EU AI Act, which aims to balance fundamental rights and the promotion of AI innovation by defining AI, expanding the scope of the act, clarifying governance, extending the prohibition of social scoring to private actors, designating high-risk systems, and clarifying compliance feasibility for high-risk systems. The final text includes several changes to increase transparency and simplify required conformity assessments. The European Council will now negotiate with the European Parliament, with an agreement expected to be reached by early 2024. Businesses are advised to take steps to manage the risks of AI systems to embrace AI with greater confidence.