AI's wide open: EU outlines pioneering Artificial Intelligence Act 28 April 2021 AI's wide open: EU outlines pioneering Artificial Intelligence Act The proposed legislation means that companies will no longer be free in the safety assessment of their AI products and will have to observe strict requirements, writes Elisabeth Kohoutek and Ulf Grundmann Ulf Grundmann and Elisabeth Kohoutek Image courtesy of King & Spalding In an ever-increasing digital, algorithmic and automated world , the evolution and ultimate utilisation of AI has become a prime topic of debate. While AI has emerged across many strands of society – whether production lines, playlists, healthcare, hospitality or transport – so too have concerns, including about the lack of global standards for the legislation and regulation of such cutting-edge technology.