The AI Act: A necessary response to the risks and opportunities of AI
Prior to the emergence of the AI Act, Europe had no specific regulation on artificial intelligence, leaving room for uncertainty over the uses and responsibilities of a data agency. In 2024, the European Union put forward this ambitious legislative proposal, aimed at creating a common framework to regulate AI. This constantly evolving text should come into force by 2026. It defines AI applications according to their level of risk – limited, high or unacceptable – and sets strict rules for uses deemed critical, such as facial recognition or automated decision-making in human resources.
Client companies must ensure that their projects fall within this legal framework, on pain of heavy fines and reputational damage. In this way, they benefit from greater clarity on their rights and duties when it comes to AI, and can demand rigorous compliance with the new standards from their partners.
Transparency and security: essential standards for data agency clients
One of the key points of the AI Act is the emphasis placed on a pillar of our data agency: transparency. Companies must now be able to demonstrate how they use AI, what treatment is applied to the data and, above all, what mechanisms are in place to guarantee information security.
For customers, it’s no longer just a question of obtaining analyses and recommendations based on their data, but of ensuring that every step complies with current legal standards. The notion of “security by design”, included in the AI Act, encourages companies to think about security and compliance right from the conception of their AI projects. For example, a corporate client may have to ask its data agency to demonstrate the compliance of the algorithms used, to ensure that their information is protected at every stage.
Towards greater collaboration between customers and data agencies
Agencies like Inflow are no longer just solution providers: they are becoming strategic partners, indispensable for navigating this new legal framework. Customers need to be able to rely on their agencies to keep them abreast of the latest legislative developments and help them adapt their strategies accordingly.
On other continents, regulation is also advancing, although the approaches differ. In the USA, initiatives are underway in some states and at federal level, with a particular focus on consumer protection. These developments underline the importance of collaborating with data agencies capable of adapting to the various international regulatory frameworks, especially for companies operating in several regions.
The role of a data agency in regulatory compliance
With the regulatory landscape becoming ever more complex, the choice of an experienced data agency is becoming crucial. Companies now need to rely on partners who are capable not only of exploiting their data, but also of guaranteeing total compliance with the various pieces of legislation. A modern data agency must maintain a constant legal watch and adapt its processes in real time. This expertise becomes particularly valuable when setting up international projects, where regulations can vary significantly from one region to another.
In addition, the proliferation of regulatory frameworks requires a more sophisticated approach to data management. Today’s data agencies must be able to put in place advanced traceability systems, enabling them to demonstrate the compliance of each data processing operation with the applicable regulations. This exhaustive documentation is becoming a major asset for companies wishing to maintain the confidence of their stakeholders and avoid any risk of non-compliance.
In this context, the role of a data agency also extends to training and raising awareness of regulatory issues among customer teams, creating a genuine culture of compliance.
Legislation such as the AI Act represents an essential safeguard for data agency clients. At Inflow, we keep abreast of these developments to offer our customers trusted support in line with the new regulations. Working with partners who are experts in compliance is now essential for the responsible and sustainable use of AI. Write to us now, and our team will get back to you within 24 hours!
