AI Ethics AI News & Updates
EU AI Act Begins Enforcement Against 'Unacceptable Risk' AI Systems
The European Union's AI Act has reached its first compliance deadline, banning AI systems deemed to pose "unacceptable risk" as of February 2, 2025. These prohibited applications include AI for social scoring, emotion recognition in schools/workplaces, biometric categorization systems, predictive policing, and manipulation through subliminal techniques, with violations potentially resulting in fines up to €35 million or 7% of annual revenue.
Skynet Chance (-0.2%): The EU AI Act establishes significant guardrails against potentially harmful AI applications, creating a comprehensive regulatory framework that reduces the probability of unchecked AI development leading to uncontrolled or harmful systems, particularly by preventing manipulative and surveillance-oriented applications.
Skynet Date (+2 days): The implementation of substantial regulatory oversight and prohibition of certain AI applications will likely slow the deployment of advanced AI systems in the EU, extending the timeline for potentially harmful AI by requiring thorough risk assessments and compliance protocols before deployment.
AGI Progress (-0.04%): While not directly targeting AGI research, the EU's risk-based approach creates regulatory friction that may slow certain paths to AGI, particularly those involving human behavioral manipulation, mass surveillance, or other risky capabilities that might otherwise contribute to broader AI advancement.
AGI Date (+1 days): The regulatory requirements for high-risk AI systems will likely increase development time and compliance costs, potentially pushing back AGI timelines as companies must dedicate resources to ensuring their systems meet regulatory standards rather than focusing solely on capability advancement.
Microsoft Establishes Advanced Planning Unit to Study AI's Societal Impact
Microsoft is creating a new Advanced Planning Unit (APU) within its Microsoft AI division to study the societal, health, and work implications of artificial intelligence. The unit will operate from the office of Microsoft AI's CEO Mustafa Suleyman and will combine research to explore future AI scenarios while making product recommendations and producing reports.
Skynet Chance (-0.13%): The establishment of a dedicated unit to study AI's societal implications demonstrates increased institutional focus on understanding and potentially mitigating AI risks. This structured approach to anticipating problems could help identify control issues before they become critical.
Skynet Date (+1 days): Microsoft's investment in studying AI's impacts suggests a more cautious, deliberate approach that may slow deployment of potentially problematic systems. The APU's role in providing recommendations could introduce additional safety considerations that extend the timeline before high-risk AI capabilities are released.
AGI Progress (+0.01%): While the APU itself doesn't directly advance technical capabilities, Microsoft's massive $22.6 billion quarterly AI investment and reorganization around AI priorities indicates substantial resources being directed toward AI development. The company's strategic focus on "model-forward" applications suggests continued progress toward more capable systems.
AGI Date (+0 days): The combination of record-high capital expenditures and organizational restructuring around AI suggests accelerated development, but the introduction of the APU might introduce some caution in deployment. The net effect is likely a slight acceleration given Microsoft's stated focus on compressing "thirty years of change into three years."