European Union: Passed AI Act including design requirement for "high-risk AI systems" by EU Parliament

On 13 March 2024, the European Parliament passed the regulation laying down harmonised rules on Artificial Intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act). The Act includes design requirements for "high-risk AI systems" as part of a wider requirement for a risk management system (Art. 9). Specifically, identified risks should, as far as possible, through the implementation of technical measures during the design and technical process, be either eliminated or mitigated and controlled. Further, high-risk AI systems should be designed such that they can be used transparently, with a sufficient level of human oversight, and with the capacity to automatically record their use. The Act now goes to the Council for the final vote.