AI in the Making: is EU Artificial Intelligence regulatory framework a good move for European manufacturing?
Abstract
On April 21st 2021, EU institutions have launched a massive initiative aiming at regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems through a series of coordinated legislative actions. Among those actions, the proposals of an Artificial Intelligence Act and the upgrade of the Machinery Directive are the founding blocks of a brand new regulatory action which is focused on improving the level of trust and safety of AI technologies to be applied in industrial manufacturing. This paper challenges the drafters’ view by using a real case study to verify if the new framework is already fit for its intended purposes or if further adjustments are needed to protect human rights without hindering innovation in European manufacturing landscape.