EU AI Act vs. Code of Practice: What's the Difference?
EU AI Act vs. Code of Practice
What's the Difference? A Simple Guide.
You’re seeing AI everywhere. It’s writing emails, creating stunning images, and answering your toughest questions. It's exciting, but it also brings up some big questions: Is it safe? Is it fair? Can we trust it?
The European Union (EU) is asking the same things, and they're building a digital safety net for AI. You might have heard about their big, official AI Act. But recently, they released something else: a voluntary AI Code of Practice. Let's break down the difference.
The AI Act: The Rulebook
Think of this as the city's official, mandatory Building Code. It's the law. It sets strict, legally-binding rules to ensure every AI "building" is safe, especially high-risk ones like those used in healthcare or hiring.
The Code of Practice: The Guidebook
This is a voluntary "Master Builder's Handbook." It's not the law, but a guide for AI developers. It helps them prepare for the AI Act and shows they are committed to building safe, high-quality AI from the start.
The Road to AI Regulation
Voluntary Code of Practice
Guidance & Preparation
Mandatory AI Act
Legally Binding Rules
What is in the Voluntary Code of Practice?
Transparency
This pillar is about transparency. It calls for clear "model cards" that detail an AI's purpose, known biases, and training data. It also promotes tools like digital watermarking to help users identify AI-generated content, a key step in fighting misinformation.
Accountability
This pillar focuses on responsibility. It involves respecting copyright law, honoring creator opt-outs, and establishing clear internal governance. Companies are encouraged to have dedicated risk management teams and a public point of contact to handle issues.
Safety & Security
This pillar is about building robust and secure AI. It requires rigorous testing, including "red-teaming" where experts try to break the model to find flaws. It also means assessing and mitigating risks—like the generation of harmful content—and implementing strong cybersecurity to prevent theft or misuse.
Key Differences at a Glance
Legal Status
Code of Practice: Not legally binding (voluntary).
AI Act: Legally binding and mandatory.
Enforcement
Code of Practice: Relies on self-regulation.
AI Act: Enforced by authorities with fines.
Purpose
Code of Practice: To guide and prepare developers.
AI Act: To legally regulate AI to protect citizens.
Scope
Code of Practice: Focuses on general-purpose AI models.
AI Act: Covers all AI systems based on risk level.
Think of it this way: The Code of Practice is like a helpful study guide before a big exam (the AI Act). Using the study guide is a good idea and shows you're serious, but you'll still be graded based on the actual exam!