top of page
AI.jpg

AI & Partners

Helping you achieve EU AI Act compliance

About Us

Helping you de-risk and cut costs.

​

AI & Partners is already working with clients since the initial publication of the EU AI Act in 2021. AI & Partners has built a reputation as the go-to AI-focused professional services firm in Europe. Each member of our team serves as an subject matter expert in their niche. They remain updated on developments in their respective industries, so that you receive the most specific and accurate state-of-the-art service available. Regardless of your needs, you will always receive standards above and beyond the market norms.

​

Our vision is to be Europe’s most professional professional services company; to provide a means of assurance for companies where they can develop, distribute, use, import, deploy, operate and interact with artificial intelligence systems, with both confidence and certainty.

​

As an ethical and fair professional services firm, AI & Partners holds the most robust standards when it comes to interacting with AI.  AI is a strong technology that can help people and businesses when developed, deployed and implemented responsibly.  Our internal and external teams follow stringent internal standards and encourage clients using Orthrus to follow suit.

Office Furniture

What is the EU AI Act?

The European Union (EU) artificial intelligence (AI) Act (EU AI Act) is the EU’s landmark new artificial intelligence regulation. The final text of the EU AI Act was approved on 2nd February 2024. Following its formal adoption and entry into force, the EU AI Act will have a significant impact on organisations developing, marketing, using, deploying or interacting with AI, both in the EU and abroad.

 

 

The EU AI Act will place risk- and technology-based obligations on firms that develop, use, distribute or import AI systems in the EU, together with high-fines for non-compliance (ranging to EU 35M or 7% of global annual turnover).

​

Key takeaways:

​

  • AI systems for certain uses are prohibited.

  • Certain AI systems will be designed as high-risk AI systems (HRAIS), and subject to extensive obligations, particularly for providers.

  • There will be specific provisions governing general purpose AI (GPAI) models, including foundation models and generative AI.

  • Other AI systems are considered low risk. These AI systems will be subject only to transparency where they interact with individuals.

Office

What Are The Key Objectives?

Providing the required assurances for your AI systems across five key areas:

​

  1. Safety: demonstrate to external parties their security

  2. Compliance: obtain evidence of compliant innovation

  3. Governance: implement market-recognised governance & enforcement mechanism

  4. Development: safeguard lawful, safe and trustworthy applications

  5. Commercial: continued use without constraints

How Can We Help You?

  1. Providing advisory services: We provide advisory services to help our clients understand the EU AI Act and how it will impact their business.  We do this by identifying areas of the business that may need to be restructured, identifying new opportunities or risks that arise from the regulation, and developing strategies to comply with the EU AI Act.

  2. Implementing compliance programs: We help our clients implement compliance programs to meet the requirements of the EU AI Act.  We do this by developing policies and procedures, training employees, and creating monitoring and reporting systems.

  3. Conducting assessments: We conduct assessments of our clients' current compliance with the EU AI Act to identify gaps and areas for improvement.  We do this by reviewing documentation, interviewing employees, and analysing data.

  4. Providing technology solutions: We also provide technology solutions to help our clients comply with the EU AI Act.  We do this by developing software or implementing new systems to help our clients manage data, track compliance, or automate processes.

When Will The EU AI Act Apply?

The EU AI Act is anticipated to be formally adopted following a vote in the European Parliament sometime during Q2 2024. It will then enter into force following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

​

A large majority of provisions in the EU AI Act will apply after a two-year implementation period. During this period, multiple supporting delegated legislation, guidance, and standards will be published to assist with EU AI Act compliance. 

​

This two-year timeline is subject to some essential carveouts. The restrictions on certain AI systems will apply after 6 months, while the requirements for GPAI will apply after 12 months. 

​

After entry into force, the AI Act will apply:

  • 6 months for prohibited AI systems.

  • 12 months for GPAI.

  • 24 months for high risk AI systems under Annex III.

  • 36 months for high risk AI systems under Annex II.

 

Codes of practice must be ready 9 months after entry into force.

Why Now?

A few reasons drive this need: 

​

  1. Firms have to prepare now to reach compliance by the end (if not before) the end of the transition period in 2025.

  2. Society expects rapid answers to the rapid disruption caused by generative AI.

  3. Firms need to build critical mass now in order to have maximum market impact.

  4. Firms have a first mover advantage in getting their compliance infrastructure in a state fit for the EU AI Act.

What Are Our Clients' Needs and Concerns?

As a company: 

​

  1. Prepare compliance with the EU AI Act.

  2. Differentiate from competitors.

  3. Prevent risks to reputation.

  4. Build trust and engagement with customers, employees and stakeholders.

  5. Progressively follow good practices through concrete levers for progress.

  6. Align practices within an ecosystem (i.e. AI system interoperability).

  7. Easily specify required product characteristics RFQs.

How Does It Affect Me?

The EU AI Act's application depends on a variety of factors, including the type, and location, of business enterprise.

 

For example, under extra-territorial provisions, a variety of different London-based enterprises are set to be brought in scope under Article 2 (Scope).

What Do Our Services Cover?

Our consultancy/advisory services together with compliance software cover the EU AI Act, the most ground breaking regulation since the GDPR. It represents a coordinated European approach on the human and ethical implications of AI together with ensuring a well-functioning internal market for AI systems, applying to all in-scope businesses from 2024. 

 

Specifically, it:

​

  • sets harmonised rules for the development, placement on the market and use of AI systems in the EU following a proportionate risk-based approach

  • proposes a single future-proof definition of AI

  • establishes specific restrictions and safeguards in relation to certain uses of remote biometric identification systems

  • lays down a solid risk methodology to define “high-risk” AI systems that pose significant risks to the health and safety or fundamental rights of persons

  • sets out horizontal mandatory requirements for AI systems to comply with

What Do People Think About Us?

bottom of page