EU Enforces AI Act Despite US Opposition
The European Union is moving forward with the enforcement of its Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), despite warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump about potential retaliatory measures against EU regulations affecting American tech companies. The AI Act, enacted in 2023, is recognized as the world’s most comprehensive legal framework for artificial intelligence. As of February 2, 2025, certain AI applications, such as creating facial recognition databases through internet scraping, are prohibited. On February 4, 2025, the European Commission released detailed guidance to help companies comply with these new rules, particularly concerning social scoring and emotion recognition systems. The Act mandates that developers of “high-risk” AI systems enhance transparency and conduct risk assessments. Non-compliance can result in substantial fines or a ban from operating within the EU. Despite opposition from major tech firms and diplomatic pressure from the U.S., the EU remains committed to establishing itself as a global leader in trustworthy AI.
Source: Financial Times