Trust and Transparency: Adapting to EU AI Act

As AI becomes more integrated into the global digital ecosystem and work practices its innovation potential has become an apparent reality for most. At the same time, nobody is unaware of the challenges and possible threats that AI also brings.

One of the most pressing problems is that it's becoming an increasingly greater struggle to discern authentic content from that generated by AI. Being able to make this distinction is crucial for intellectual property rights, combating misinformation, and maintaining public trust in the digital sphere.

The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) represents a landmark legislative effort to address these challenges by setting clear rules for the development and use of AI within the EU. Responding to this evolving regulatory framework, Numbers Protocol offers solutions that help organizations align with the Act's requirements.

This article explains how Numbers Protocol can assist AI companies in navigating the complexities of the EU AI Act, especially concerning the provenance of digital content.

‍

The EU AI Act: A Primer

The AI Act categorizes AI systems based on their risk to rights and safety, imposing stricter requirements on systems identified as high-risk. Among its various stipulations, the Act emphasizes the need for transparency and traceability of AI-generated content.

The crucial part here is that it forces the disclosure of where AI has been used in content creation. The goal is to prevent parties from using AI for nefarious means while ensuring that users can better discern the value of the content they consume.

‍

Numbers Protocol: Enhancing Compliance and Transparency

Numbers Protocol operates on a blockchain-based network designed to certify, track, and manage the provenance of digital assets. Here's a closer look at how it complements the AI Act's objectives:

• Provenance and Transparency: The EU AI Act underscores the importance of transparency in AI-generated content, requiring that such content be clearly labeled to inform users of its artificial origin. Numbers Protocol addresses this requirement by embedding digital assets with unique identifiers that record their creation, modification, and distribution history. For  AI companies this gives them a means to demonstrate their compliance with the Act's transparency requirements.
• Regulatory Alignment: Numbers Protocol as a company is focused on the importance of content provenance, and in this way, we are directly aligned with several key provisions of the AI Act. For example, by providing a mechanism to certify and trace digital content, the protocol gifts AI companies with a way to ensure that they are in adherence to the Act's stipulations regarding the accountability and traceability of AI systems. This also includes assisting with the obliged commitment to maintain logs of AI system operations and to ensure that AI-generated content is identifiable. It also means that they can feel safe about passing related audits and compliance checks.
• Facilitating Ethical Use of AI: The AI Act is part of a broader EU strategy to promote ethical AI development that respects the fundamental rights and societal values that it envisages for the union. By ensuring that the data lineage of digital content is both transparent and verifiable, Numbers Protocol sees itself as contributing to the EU’s vision. This transparency supports ethical AI practices by allowing users to understand and evaluate the origins of the content they engage with, thereby mitigating risks associated with misinformation and manipulation.
  ‍

Implications for AI Companies

For AI companies navigating the regulatory landscape introduced by the AI Act, adopting technologies like those offered by Numbers Protocol can offer some real advantages:

• Compliance: The process of meeting the AI Act's transparency and provenance requirements is simplified which reduces regulatory risks and potential penalties.
• Trust: By adopting practices that emphasize the clear labeling and traceability of AI-generated content, companies can build stronger trust with users and stakeholders.
• Support for Innovation: Numbers Protocol offers a framework for responsible innovation, allowing AI companies to explore new content creation models while maintaining ethical standards and regulatory compliance.

The EU AI Act sets new standards for AI governance, which will, for the time being, provide new challenges for companies in the sector. Numbers Protocol can help bridge the gap between regulatory requirements and technological innovation.

--

Any companies or parties interested in discovering how Numbers Protocol can help adhere to these new regulations, feel free to schedule a 15-minute introduction call or contact us via bd@numbersprotocol.io.

‍