From 2 February 2025, the EU Regulation on Artificial Intelligence (AI Regulation) will come into force, which will have a significant impact on German and Baltic companies. This regulation aims to make the use of AI systems within the European Union safer and more transparent.
Categorisation of AI systems according to risk levels
The AI Regulation categorises AI systems into different risk categories, each of which entails specific requirements and prohibitions:
- Unjustifiable riskAI systems that are considered unacceptable and violate fundamental rights are prohibited. Examples include social scoring systems that evaluate people's behaviour. (IHK_DE)
- High riskThis category includes AI systems that pose a significant risk to health, safety or fundamental rights. These include applications in critical infrastructures such as medicine, transport or personnel management. Such systems are subject to strict requirements in terms of risk assessment, transparency and human oversight. (IHK_DE)
- Limited riskThese are AI systems that are subject to transparency obligations. Users must be informed that they are interacting with an AI system, for example in the case of chatbots. (IHK_DE)
- Minimised riskThis category includes most AI-powered games or spam filters and does not require any additional legal obligations. However, companies can voluntarily develop codes of conduct for such systems. (IHK_DE)
Obligation to ensure AI expertise
A key innovation of the AI Regulation is the obligation for providers and operators of AI systems to ensure that their staff have sufficient AI expertise. This includes technical knowledge, experience in the specific context of use and an awareness of the ethical and legal implications of AI. Companies should therefore offer internal training and further education to build and strengthen these competences. (Making an Impact - Noerr)
Recommendations for German-Baltic cooperation
For German and Baltic companies working in partnership, it is crucial to work together towards compliance with the AI Regulation:
- Joint training programmesDevelopment and implementation of training courses that are tailored to the specific requirements and cultural characteristics of both regions.
- Transparent communicationOpen exchange about AI systems used and their risk assessment in order to promote a common understanding and trust.
- Joint compliance strategiesDevelopment of strategies for compliance with the AI Regulation that fulfil the legal requirements both in Germany and in the Baltic states.
Conclusion
The EU AI Regulation will bring significant changes for companies from February 2025. In particular, the categorisation of AI systems according to risk levels and the obligation to ensure AI competence require proactive action. For successful German-Baltic cooperation, it is essential to jointly develop training programmes, communicate transparently and coordinate compliance strategies.
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