The European Union Artificial Intelligence Act

AI has become a key driver of geopolitical competition, with countries vying for technological supremacy and economic dominance. The potential of AI technologies to revolutionize industries, enhance military capabilities, and shape societal norms has far-reaching implications for the disruption of traditional geopolitical balances. As AI development accelerates, it poses unique and mounting challenges to governance frameworks, raising urgent questions about international regulation and cooperation.

What are the geopolitical risks and opportunities associated with AI development? What strategies are being developed to prevent the misuse of AI? How can states promote responsible and ethical AI development to shape the future of AI in a way that benefits humanity?

Our 2025 winter Buffett Symposium on AI and Geopolitics convened leading strategists, researchers, and policymakers to discuss the transformative opportunities and profound challenges that AI poses in geopolitics. Our speakers offered insights on how AI technologies influence global power dynamics, national security, economic development, international relations, and more, exploring the role that international governance and cooperation will play in its future. The event was co-organized by the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs, Northwestern Security & AI Lab (NSAIL), and Insight Centre at University College Cork.

The daylong program kicked off with a presentation on the European Union AI Act from Barry O’Sullivan, Professor of Computer Science and IT at the University College Cork, Ireland, Director of the Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics, and Director of the Research Ireland Centre for Research Training in AI.

The European Union Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) is the world’s first comprehensive legislation aimed at regulating AI. The EU’s risk-based framework categorizes AI systems as unacceptable, high-risk, or low-risk, with stringent requirements for high-risk applications in areas like healthcare, education, and law enforcement. The EU AI Act prioritizes ethical AI principles, including human oversight, fairness, and the protection of fundamental rights. Practices like mass surveillance, real-time biometric identification, and predictive policing are banned.

Key Takeaways

• The Act prioritizes ethical safeguards and fundamental rights. O’Sullivan noted that it is important that the EU builds upon the regulation to increase the pace of innovation in the Union. O’Sullivan explained that there is a fear that the stringent rules for high-risk application domains like healthcare, education, employment, and public services may compromise innovation in these areas, leading developers to redirect efforts to less-regulated markets like the US and China, where innovation takes precedence, leaving the EU overly reliant on imported advanced AI technology.

• Compliance with the EU AI Act is resource-intensive, requiring organizations to conduct risk assessments, ensure technical robustness, and train employees in AI literacy. Startups and small-to-medium enterprises may struggle to bear these costs, potentially stifling competition and favoring larger corporations.

• The EU AI Act’s detailed requirements, including the shifting roles of providers and deployers, introduce a complex legal framework. This may lead to progress-halting debates and disputes about whether specific systems qualify as AI and how liabilities are assigned.

Read the symposium synthesis report >>