Finland Takes Lead in Shaping Europe’s New AI Regulation: Balancing Safety with Competition in the Healthcare Sector

The European Union’s new regulation on artificial intelligence has been approved, allowing member states to create their own national legislation. Finland played a significant role in negotiating the details of the regulation, particularly in the health and safety sectors. The European Parliament finalized the regulation on March 13, which restricts the use of AI, ensuring the safety and protection of citizens’ rights.

The regulation prohibits real-time biometric monitoring and profiling based on sensitive characteristics. It also requires clear labeling of content created with artificial intelligence. The stricter the societal risks associated with an AI system, the more stringent the regulation will be. Social care and healthcare are categorized as high-risk areas for AI use according to the regulation.

Finland’s concerns about pre-written analytics systems and potential heavy regulation for public administration decision-making systems were addressed in negotiations. The regulation is designed to harmonize requirements for medical devices and prevent duplication of work. This regulatory framework is seen as a positive step towards creating a safe regulatory framework that respects fundamental rights and provides a competitive advantage in AI development.

With the completion of the EU’s artificial intelligence regulation, member states can now develop their own national legislation. This legislation is expected to clarify concerns around applying AI in various sectors, such as healthcare. The atmosphere in Finland is hopeful for the future of AI development under this new regulatory framework.