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On April 21, 2021, the European Commission proposed new rules and actions on the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems with the stated objective to “turn Europe into the global hub for trustworthy artificial intelligence”.
Following a risk-based approach, the proposals will ban those AI systems considered a clear threat to the safety, livelihoods and rights of people. Others will be rated on a risk scale from high to minimal. In particular, all remote biometric identification systems are considered high risk and subject to strict requirements.
Secure Identity Alliance (SIA), whose members are European and global leaders in this fast-emerging space, are supportive of the principles to ensure excellence and trust in AI systems, and believe a fit-for-purpose framework has the potential to become an adopted standard around the world – as has been the case with the General Data Protection Regulation.
However, SIA believes that the rules governing the development and provision of AI systems should be proportionate.
As the proposals stand today, there is a concern that some rules threaten to stifle innovation and therefore undermine the stated goals of the Commission and the position of Europe as a leader in this critical field of technology.
