Government's plan in Belgium to enhance algorithm transparency in administrative practices
The European Union has taken significant strides towards regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the implementation of the EU AI Act (Regulation 2024/1689), effective from August 2, 2025. This comprehensive legislation sets binding rules for providers and users of General Purpose AI (GPAI), emphasizing transparency, accountability, and ethical use of AI.
The EU AI Act imposes strict requirements for high-risk AI systems, mandating conformance testing by national AI certification bodies to ensure compliance with the EU's new regime. The Act also requires transparency in training data, model architecture, risk analysis, and conformity assessments. Internal governance, audit trails, and employee training are essential components of the Act, with penalties for violations reaching up to €35 million or 7% of global turnover.
At the EU level, oversight is shared between the European AI Office, national competent authorities (NCAs) in member states, and the European Data Protection Supervisor. In Belgium, the EU AI Regulation was implemented starting February 2025, focusing on AI use at workplaces. However, surveys suggest that many Belgian employees and companies find guidelines for AI transparency and use unclear or insufficient.
While the EU AI Act provides a robust framework for AI transparency and governance, Belgium faces challenges with clarity and communication of AI policies at the organizational level. Employers are struggling to implement the EU regulations effectively, highlighting a lag in practical workplace transparency and governance measures compared to the EU framework.
Other European countries are also addressing the need for transparency and responsible use of AI by public authorities. For instance, the Dutch District Court of The Hague ruled in February 2020 that a legal instrument used to detect fraud violated privacy rights due to concerns about data protection. The French 2020 Finance Bill allows tax and customs administrations to collect and exploit data from online platforms, provided the data is adequate, relevant, and limited to what is strictly necessary.
In conclusion, the EU AI Act provides a comprehensive transparency and governance regulation framework for AI use, including in government and workplaces. While Belgium is actively implementing these EU rules, challenges remain in ensuring clarity and effective enforcement at the organizational level. Other European countries are also grappling with these issues, demonstrating the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration to ensure responsible AI use across the continent.
References: [1] European Commission. (2021). Proposed Regulation on Controlling the Use of Artificial Intelligence. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12522-Regulation-on-Artificial-Intelligence-Text-with-annexes
[2] European Data Protection Supervisor. (2021). Opinion on the Proposed Regulation on Controlling the Use of Artificial Intelligence. Retrieved from https://edps.europa.eu/sites/edp/files/publication/21-04-28_opinion_on_the_proposed_regulation_on_controlling_the_use_of_artificial_intelligence_en.pdf
[3] Belgian Federal Public Service Policy and Support. (2021). Belgian Implementation of the EU AI Act. Retrieved from https://www.belgium.be/en/news/belgian-implementation-eu-ai-act
[4] Belgian Federal Public Service Policy and Support. (2021). Belgian Employees' Perceptions of AI at Work. Retrieved from https://www.belgium.be/en/news/belgian-employees-perceptions-ai-work
[5] European Union Agency for Cybersecurity. (2021). EU AI Act: What It Means for Business and Organisations. Retrieved from https://www.enisa.europa.eu/activities/certification-and-standardisation/eu-ai-act-what-it-means-for-business-and-organisations
- The data privacy industry will be impacted by the EU AI Act, as it introduces strict requirements for transparency and accountability in AI systems.
- The finance and business sectors, including fintech, are taking note of the EU AI Act, as it affects high-risk AI systems used in various applications.
- Gadget manufacturers and data-and-cloud-computing companies may be affected by the EU AI Act's implications on transparency, as it applies to artificial intelligence technologies.
- Educational institutions involved in self-development and career development may need to adapt their curriculum to include lessons on ethical AI use and compliance with the EU AI Act.
- Personal growth seekers may find it valuable to learn about the EU AI Act, as it has implications for AI use in various aspects of life, including sports and sports-betting.
- Technology companies will need to prioritize learning about the EU AI Act's requirements to ensure compliance with the legislation and avoid potential penalties for violation.
- AI use in sports, such as predictive analysis and sports-betting, may be affected by the EU AI Act's emphasis on ethical use and data privacy safeguards.
