Struggle Between Freedom and Financial Obligation: A Contemporary Challenge
In a significant move towards responsible AI deployment, the European Union's AI Act requires companies using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure their employees are AI-ready. This emphasis on employee readiness is crucial for companies to comply with the regulation and maintain ethical AI practices.
The training of relevant teams, such as HR, legal, compliance, and IT, is essential. Employees, particularly those managing or overseeing high-risk AI systems like hiring tools or credit scoring, need to be educated on the regulation's obligations. This education should cover both the legal framework and how to evaluate and interpret the outputs produced by AI systems.
One of the key requirements is training on AI Act compliance. Employees involved with AI must understand the regulation's obligations, including risk management, transparency, and human oversight.
Another requirement is human oversight. Companies must design AI systems to enable humans to meaningfully oversee and intervene in AI decisions where applicable, ensuring employees can monitor and control AI outputs, preventing unchecked automated decisions.
Organisations should also implement or revise internal AI policies and codes of practice to align with the EU AI Act. This clarifies ethical and lawful AI use for their workforce.
Governance and operational procedures must also be incorporated into workflows such as risk assessments, data quality checks, and documentation management. Employees must understand and implement these practices.
These measures together ensure that employees are prepared to responsibly handle AI systems in compliance with the EU AI Act, especially when deploying or managing high-risk AI systems that could impact individuals’ rights or safety. The EU AI Act's phased enforcement starting in August 2024 and full compliance required by 2026 highlights the need for ongoing employee training and organisational readiness.
Meanwhile, police are investigating an incident involving an 11-year-old girl and an unknown man in Duisburg-Huckingen. Further details have not been released at this time.
Elsewhere, the first federal states have started the summer holidays, and many roads may become busy as children and young people start their six and a half weeks of freedom. However, a tragic incident occurred in Düsseldorf, where a six-year-old boy died after being swept away while swimming in the Rhine. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the young boy during this difficult time.
In a separate incident, an 18-year-old missing from Düsseldorf has been found dead in Duisburg's Kultushafen. The circumstances surrounding the death are currently unknown.
Lastly, Marie Mouroum, a "Let's Dance" star, has advocated for combat sports to be a school subject. The benefits of combat sports for physical and mental health are well-documented, and incorporating them into the school curriculum could provide students with a valuable learning experience.
Personal finance managers in companies should receive training on the EU AI Act to understand its obligations towards AI systems, such as risk management, transparency, and human oversight. This education will help ensure that the company's AI systems, particularly high-risk ones like hiring tools or credit scoring, are deployed ethically and lawfully, demonstrating compliance with the regulation.
